Articles

Probation terminated after former Aurora priest removed to Colombia

A former Aurora priest who avoided a jury trial on child sex abuse charges through a misdemeanor plea deal is back in Colombia, and his probation in Kane County has been terminated. Alfredo Pedraza Arias, 51, lost his temporary religious worker visa after he was charged with sexually abusing two girls at Sacred Heart Church […]

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March 13, 2018

Former Aurora priest remains in ICE custody pending removal to Colombia

A former Aurora priest who avoided a jury trial on child sex abuse charges through a misdemeanor plea deal Friday remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody pending removal to his home country of Colombia. As of Monday evening, Alfredo Pedraza Arias was listed in custody at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility. ADVERTISING Kane […]

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February 13, 2018

Plea deal for former Aurora priest in sexual abuse case

Alfredo Pedraza-Arias, 51, has been released from Kane County jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery. He had been facing charges of sexual abuse. Alfredo Pedraza-Arias, 51, has been released from Kane County jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery. He had been facing charges of sexual abuse. Marie Wilson A former Aurora priest pleaded […]

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February 13, 2018

Kane investigator quit, may have shredded docs, complicating 2 child sex abuse cases

An investigator’s resignation from the Kane County Child Advocacy Center is complicating legal proceedings involving his work, including at least one case scheduled for trial this month. In at least two cases, court filings indicate the investigator may have shredded documents related to his investigation. In one of the cases, involving a former priest from […]

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November 2, 2017

DeKalb woman accused of murdering boyfriend plans to hire psychologist

SYCAMORE – The family of a DeKalb woman accused of strangling her boyfriend in 2016 plans to hire a psychologist whose testimony will show that the woman had suffered trauma from repeated abuse, her lawyer said Wednesday. Kela M. Moss, 27, of 419 S. First St., DeKalb, was charged Nov. 14, 2016, with first-degree murder […]

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October 27, 2017

Defense: Investigator may have destroyed, withheld docs in case of ex-priest accused of sex abuse

A Kane County investigator in a former Aurora priest’s sex abuse case may have destroyed some notes while withholding others, according to the former priest’s lawyer, who is seeking information about the investigator’s recent resignation from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. Alfredo Pedraza Arias, 51, is scheduled for a November trial on felony charges […]

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October 27, 2017

Another Kane first: Latina attorney selected by peers as new judge

Sandra T. Parga took the official oath in early October after her peers selected her as Kane County’s newest associate judge — and first Latina on the bench in the 16th Judicial Circuit’s history — and has been all business managing the caseload at the Aurora Branch Court. Wednesday afternoon was a chance to reflect […]

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October 27, 2017

Judge Rejects Latest Bond Move on Former Aurora Priest

The third attempt by Kane County prosecutors to revoke the bond of former Aurora priest Alfredo Pedraza-Arias fell short Thursday. Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson agreed with Arias’ attorney David Camic’s request to strike the motion by prosecutors which sought to either raise the amount Arias would need to get out of jail or remove […]

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September 15, 2017

Trial date stands for accused Aurora priest facing deportation

A Kane County judge decided not to move up the jury trial of a former Aurora priest facing deportation along with felony charges of child sex abuse. Prosecutors last week filed a motion asking for the trial of Alfredo Pedraza Arias to start sooner. However, Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson Monday ordered the trial date […]

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August 8, 2017