ILLINOIS
Belleville News-Democrat
BY SCOTT WUERZ
News-Democrat
February 13, 2014
A Shiloh man has been accused of sexually abusing several children he met through a Fairview Heights church.
Jeffrey Strait, 47, of the 2700 block of Lake Lucerne Drive, has been charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim older than 13 but younger than 17. The four counts are related to the same victim.
Since the initial complaint, five other males have come forward with similar claims, which are being investigated. Most of the alleged victims who have come forward are now adults, but the abuses occurred when they were juveniles, Shiloh Police Chief James Stover said.
The investigation began last week after a minor male made an allegation against Strait. Police said Strait, who was described as a “church deacon or youth minister” at the First Baptist Church, 10401 Lincoln Trail, used his position of authority to lure his victims.
Straight is in custody in the St. Clair County Jail on $500,000 bail.
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