Suburban Chicago man once involved with Boy Scouts is accused of sexually abusing teen boys
An 84-year-old Montgomery, Illinois man involved in the Boy Scouts and a train club is accused of sexually assaulting five underage boys.
In a stunning development in court Thursday, the man admitted to assaulting five other boys in addition. Authorities fear there may be even more victims in addition.
A Kane County judge ruled Thursday that Michael Farris will stay in custody, calling him a "real and present threat to the community." The Kane County State's Attorney's office said the crimes it recorded go as far back as 2008, but they think they still don't have the full scope of what happened.
Farris was wheeled into the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles on Thursday. He is charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse — a total of 90 offenses.
"All of the people who have come forward have shown extreme bravery in being able to share what has happened so that we can get this individual off the streets," said Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser, "and I'm happy to say he's now detained in our Kane County Jail — exactly where he belongs."
Prosecutors said Farris was arrested at his home this week for allegations involving five victims between the ages of 13 and 17. Prosecutors said when questioned, Farris admitted to assaulting and abusing four out of those five victims— and then gave them the names of five more kids, one of whom may have been as young as 8 years old.
"This is one of the most heinous crimes that we have out there, because you're perpetrating on children, and you're perpetrating on people who trust you," Mosser said, "and sometimes these kids don't understand that this shouldn't be happening, because it's by a trusted individual."
Prosecutors said Farris knew the victims from the neighborhood, family, and friends, and because he was a fixture in his community — involved in the Boy Scouts of America, a train club, and church groups.
On Thursday, the Boy Scouts — now known officially as Scouting America, released a statement that Farris has been banned from scouting. Scouting America said none of the alleged victims are believed to have been involved in scouting with Farris.
Scouting America said Farris was last registered with the organization in 2000 — eight years before the first abuse allegations.
Scouting America also said it will cooperate with law enforcement as requested.
"Over the last 15 years of what we've known he's done, it's likely, given his involvement in the community — and some of the organizations where he made sure he had access to children — that we'll see more victims." Mosser said.
The defense said Ferris has been undergoing therapy for 10 to 15 years, asking he be released on electronic monitoring. But a judge denied that request, since Farris lives alone, and prosecutors say one assault may have happened at his home when a child came by offering door-to-door snow-shoveling services.
Farris is due back in court next Friday.
