In The Courts: Substitute Teacher Indicted on Additional Charges
The following is a roundup of Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news releases from Friday, Aug. 11, through Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017.
ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP MAN CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN SUNDAY MORNING STABBING DEATH OF HIS FATHER
BAIL SET AT $2 MILLION
Aug. 15, 2017
The Kane County State’s Attorney has charged a St. Charles Township man for stabbing his father to death early Sunday.
Kane County prosecutors authorized first-degree murder charges against 22-year-old John W. Shenko in the Aug. 13, 2017, death of 60-year-old Kevin Shenko.
Charging documents state that on Aug. 13, 2017, John Shenko stabbed Kevin Shenko multiple times, causing his death.
During a bond hearing Tuesday morning, prosecutors stated that Kevin Shenko’s body had more than 100 wounds.
A judge set Shenko’s bail at $2 million, with 10 percent ($200,000) to apply for bond. The judge set Shenko’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. Aug. 18, 2017, in front of Circuit Judge James C. Hallock in Courtroom 313 at the Kane County Judicial Center.
Shenko remains in custody at the Kane County jail. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
The charges against Shenko are not proof of guilt. Shenko 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.
BATAVIA MAN GUILTY OF CHILD SEX ASSAULT
FACES MINIMUM SENTENCE OF 18 YEARS IN PRISON
Aug. 14, 2017
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted a Batavia man for sexually assaulting a young child he knew.
Associate Judge Linda S. Abrahamson on Aug. 9, 2017, convicted 37-year-old Joel Becerril of three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, Class X felonies; and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Class 2 felonies.
Becerril waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Abrahamson heard the bench trial periodically, concluding June 26.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Megan Baxter and Matthew Rodgers presented evidence that between 2006 and 2010 Becerril sexually assaulted a young child he knew. The victim was younger than 13 years old.
Judge Abrahamson set Becerril’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4, 2017, for motions and sentencing. Becerril faces a sentence of between 18 and 97 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In addition, Becerril must register for life in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.
Becerril had been free on $15,000 bond. Bond was revoked upon conviction and he was taken into custody at the Kane County jail.
“This defendant’s family pressured on the victim to try to silence her. But when a child discloses sexual abuse we will always listen, and we will always pursue justice and accountability,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Kane County Child Advocacy Center.
FORMER DISTRICT 300 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER INDICTED ON ADDITIONAL CHILD SEX ABUSE CHARGES
Aug. 14, 2017
A former Community Unit School District 300 substitute teacher charged last month with sexually abusing a child is back in jail after being indicted on additional counts related to three more victims.
A Kane County grand jury last week indicted 62-year-old Carlos A. Bedoya on 21 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, Class X felonies; 1 count of indecent solicitation of a child, Class 1 felony, and 14 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child, Class 2 felonies.
The Kane County State’s Attorney alleges in the indictments that between August 2015 and June 2017 Bedoya made sexual contact with four victims, all younger than 13 years old.
Kane County prosecutors in a July complaint had alleged that Bedoya made sexual contact with a single child younger than 13 between August 2016 and May 2017.
The Aug. 8 indictments amend the original complaint and allege that Bedoya made sexual contact with three additional victims.
Bedoya in July had posted $10,000 bond on the original complaint and was released. After the Aug. 8 indictment, Kane County prosecutors asked the court to increase Bedoya’s bail. Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., increased Bedoya’s bail to $3 million, with 10 percent ($300,000) to apply for bond. Bedoya was taken into custody at the Kane County jail, where he remains.
If he posts bond, Bedoya is prohibited from having any contact with the victims and any contact with any minor under age 18. In addition, Bedoya must resign in writing from all teaching and coaching positions.
Judge Tegeler set Bedoya’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. Aug. 31, 2017, in Courtroom 311 at the Kane County Judicial Center for arraignment.
If convicted of the most serious offenses, Bedoya could be sentenced to a term of life imprisonment.
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 Bedoya are not proof of guilt. Bedoya 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 releases. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page. All photos are from the KCSAO Facebook Page.
