Body Found Saturday in Aurora Was Former Teacher Free on Bond
A retired Aurora teacher wanted on child pornography charges through the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Child Advocacy Center was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday, April 14.
According to the Aurora Police Department, the body of Robert L. James, 63, of the 1600 block of Garfield Ave., Aurora, was found around 1:30 p.m. in a field in the 100 block of W. Indian Trail by two men who are caretakers for the property.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of the body.
James was retired from West Aurora School District 129.
In 2016, James was charged with two counts of producing child pornography, each a Class X felony, six counts of possession of child pornography, each a Class 2 felony, indecent soliciÂtation of a child, a Class 3 felony, and sexual exploitation of a child, a Class 4 felony.
Authorities allege that sometime before Aug. 14, 2015, James produced multiple images of child pornography, and has been in possession of multiple photographic images depicting children younger than 13 years old. In addition, authorities allege that before Aug. 14, 2015, James exposed himself to a child he knew and solicited a sexual act from that child, who was younger than 13 at the time.
James was taken into custody by Aurora police on Jan. 7, 2016.
He had been free on bond, but failed to appear for a hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15, 2018, at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, records show. After James did not appear by 2:10 p.m., Kane County Circuit Judge John Barsanti ordered a bond forfeiture hearing for April 20 and set additional bail at $10,000.
SOURCE: Aurora Police Department
