Pastor Charged With Abuse Of Underage Girl

Illinois: A 63-year-old former pastor is set to appear in DuPage County Circuit Court next week on charges he sexually abused an underage girl.

James W. French, 63, of Dakota was arrested at his home by Naperville police on the morning of Dec. 2. He was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and assigned a bond of $250,000.

Authorities are not releasing many details about the incident, other than to say it occurred in Naperville on Nov. 12. The victim has not been identified, but police say she is under the age of 13. The crime was brought to the attention of police by the DuPage County Children’s Center, which investigates abuse allegations involving children.

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French is a founder and former pastor at Indian Grove Country Church in Rock City. He was also reportedly an adjunct professor of history at Rock Valley College in Rockford, according to the Naperville Sun. French does not have a criminal record, police say.