Man Charged With Child Sex Abuse

Huntley, IL. - Following a four-month investigation by police, a 38-year-old northwest suburban man has been charged with the repeated sexual abuse of a young girl.

Police did not disclose the age of the girl, but according to a release from Huntley police, she is a minor. They were first made aware of allegations of sexual abuse in February, according to a release.

It is alleged that over the course of several months, James Thompson of Huntley would engage in alcoholic drinking games with the girl and several times engaged in sexual conduct with the her, the release said.

Subsequent investigation found that Thompson allegedly solicited sexually explicit photographs from the victim via e-mail while pretending to be someone else.

Last Wednesday, Huntley police, with the assistance of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office and Vernon Hills police, executed search warrants on Thompson’s home on the 11600 block of Beacon Street and his workplace -- Alliance Fire Protection in Vernon Hills. Several computers, CDs and other items were retrieved as evidence.

According to the release Thompson was taken into custody at Alliance Fire Protection -- a fire sprinkler contractor -- and charged with:

-- Four counts of child pornography (Class 1 felony);
-- two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony);
-- five counts of indecent solicitation of a child (Class 4 felony);
-- six counts of distribution of harmful material (Class A misdemeanor); and
-- two counts of enticing a child to remove clothing (Class A misdemeanor).

Bond was set in McHenry County Court at $100,000, according to the release. Thompson's next scheduled court date is July 28, police said.