Nathan J. Scherer, 25, of the 1-99 block of Boathouse Road, Pingree Grove, is charged with five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, each a Class 2 felony.

Kane County State’s Attorney Joseph H. McMahon alleges that on June 19, 2016, Scherer had sexual contact with the victim, who is younger than 17 years old. Scherer knows the victim. The victim’s parents informed authorities of the allegations after the victim told them what had occurred.

Scherer was taken into custody by Pingree Grove police on June 20, 2016.

Scherer appeared Tuesday, June 21, 2016, in Kane County bond court. Bail was set at $10,000 with $1,000 to apply for bond. He must post $1,000 bond to be released while the charges are pending. His next court appearance is set for 9 a.m. July 15, 2016, in Courtroom 311 at the Kane County Judicial Center in front of Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr.

If he posts bond, Scherer is to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with anyone younger than 18 and he is prohibited from being within 150 feet of the victim’s residence.

If convicted, Scherer faces a minimum sentence of probation or three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In addition, Scherer would register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should call their local police department or the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160.

The charges against Scherer are not proof of guilt. Scherer is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page.