Breaking News: Scout leader charged with abusing 16-year-old

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A former high-level area Boy Scout leader was charged Friday in Lee County Circuit Court with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Scout at least four times since July.

Charles Bickerstaff, 56, of 1612 Aurora St., Dixon, is charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for allegedly sexually abusing an Ogle County boy between July and March at Bickerstaff’s home.

Bickerstaff was a district executive for the Blackhawk Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which includes Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties, until he retired about a year ago. The boy knew Bickerstaff through Scouting, Lee County Detective Sgt. David Glessner said.

Bickerstaff’s day-to-day responsibilities would not have included activities with children, Scouting officials said.

Bickerstaff allegedly had sexual contact with the boy on at least four occasions, Glessner testified Friday at Bickerstaff’s first court appearance.

Investigators also found journals in Bickerstaff’s house that detailed dates, times and facts that corroborate the boy’s account, Glessner testified.

Lee County State’s Attorney Paul Whitcombe stressed that Bickerstaff is  innocent until proven guilty. If the allegations prove true, though, he would fit the classic mold of a sex offender abusing a position of trust, Whitcombe said.

“All we can do is pray that this is the only one, but I suspect we may get some phone calls,” he said.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Department is investigating. Any parents whose children had contact with Bickerstaff should talk with them to “make sure none of this kind of contact took place,” Sheriff John Varga said.

The teen first approached Ogle County detectives on April 22. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department was contacted two days later because four of the alleged assaults occurred in Dixon, Glessner testified.

The boy also told investigators he was sexually assaulted three times  during a Scouting-related event in Michigan in July, Glessner said. The Lee County State’s Attorney’s office is contacting prosecutors there to see if any charges will be filed in that state.

After obtaining a warrant, Glessner said he listened in Thursday as the boy called Bickerstaff. During the conversation, Bickerstaff allegedly acknowledged the encounters, then initiated what Glessner referred to as phone sex by making lewd comments to the teen.

Bickerstaff was arrested Thursday and his home searched. In addition to  the journals, police said they found pictures of what appeared to be nude teenage boys. Additional charges could be filed if the pictures are deemed illegal, Varga said.

In a video appearance from the Lee County jail Friday, Bickerstaff listened stoically to the testimony and charges against him.

Judge John Payne set Bickerstaff’s bond at $2.5 million.

“You said it would be $250,000 cash? That’s pretty steep, sir,” Bickerstaff said.

Whitcombe said he argued for the high bond because Bickerstaff is financially well off and is an international traveler.

If he posts the $250,000 cash or property bond and is freed, he must have no contact with anyone younger than 18, surrender his passport, remain in Lee County and have no further involvement with Boy Scouts of America.

If convicted, he faces four to 15 years on each sexual assault charge, and three to seven years, or up to four years probation, on each sexual abuse charge.

After the hearing, Varga said he wanted to stress the courage of the boy and his family to go to authorities.

“That he had the courage to sit down with two detectives he’s never met before and tell them what happened — that’s what it takes, is the courage and guts for someone to come forward.”

Reach Jim Butts at (815) 625-3600 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 570.

Reach Jim Butts at (815) 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 570.