For the second time in a month, Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson denied a St. Charles man’s move to have his bond reduced as he awaits trial on sex assault charges.
Erik C. Butler, 37, appeared in court Thursday where his attorney added some new information to a bond reduction motion that generally covered the same ground as a similar request made in April. Butler has pleaded not guilty to two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 between October and February. He has also denied an unrelated count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He remains held in Kane County Jail on $350,000.
Beyond referencing Butler’s role as the primary financial provider to his family, the most-recent motion mentioned Butler, with the help of his mother, had a place to live in Marengo on a week-to-week basis should he get out of jail. The filing also notes Butler was hired by a local water department in November after spending five years as a foreman for a private water company.
Authorities have not indicated how the girl and Butler were acquainted, but an investigation began earlier this year after a relative of the girl contacted police. Butler surrendered to police in February. A special prosecutor is handling the case because, according to court records, a potential witness is an employee of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. Butler returns to court on June 6.
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Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News