Ogle County Pastor Accused of Felony Sexual Abuse

By Nick Crow
Journal Standard
June 26, 2013

http://www.journalstandard.com/news/x1580220608/Ogle-County-pastor-accused-of-felony-sexual-abuse#axzz2XJuj5PYf


MOUNT MORRIS — A 64-year-old Mount Morris man who has worked as a pastor with Crossroads Community Church for the past decade will be in an Ogle County court Friday for alleged criminal sexual abuse of a minor.

Charles Babler was arrested by deputies Friday in the wake of an investigation of a 2011 incident in which police say he had contact with a person younger than 13.

Babler posted bail and was released from jail Monday.

Most recently, Babler was as an executive/administrative pastor, with most of his responsibilities pertaining to financial and personnel matters, said Glen Williamson, pastor with the Crossroads campus in Freeport. The church has seven campuses in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“It is our understanding and belief that the charges made against Mister Babler allege misconduct away from church premises and (are) totally unrelated to Crossroads or to Mister Babler’s employment with Crossroads,” he said in a statement Tuesday night.

“Nevertheless, given the very serious nature of the allegations, Mister Babler has been placed on leave of absence, pending the completion of the police investigation. The safety of our members and attendees remains our utmost concern.”

Church officials did not offer further specifics about Babler’s time there, but archived stories from The Journal-Standard list Babler as serving at the Crossroads campus in Polo, 205 N. Jefferson Ave., several years ago. He was most recently working from the Freeport church campus.

Ogle County State’s Attorney Michael Rock said the official charges against Babler may change, or others could be added.

“We’ll know by Friday if there are further charges,” he said. “We’re waiting for all the reports to come in to make a decision on the final charges.”

Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 felony, punishable by three to seven years in prison. Probation is possible, and guilty offenders must register for mandatory lifetime classification as sexual predators.

Contact: ncrow@journalstandard.com