Priest denies new sex abuse charges

A Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting a St. Charles boy was back in court Friday on charges he also tried to abuse the victim's older brother.

The Rev. Alejandro Flores, 37, of Shorewood, entered another not guilty plea - this time to a 16-count indictment that was handed down earlier this month and included the additional charges involving the brother.

"I had warned my client to expect it," defense attorney Glenn M. Sowa said. "It was not a surprise. The increase in charges was not unexpected."

Flores, who was arrested in January, faces a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted of preying on a St. Charles boy over five years, beginning when the child was 8, and attempting to abuse the older brother.

Prosecutors said Flores was godfather to both children, whose family he met while working as a parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in West Chicago.

On Friday, three women wearing buttons reading "Children First" showed up for Flores' appearance on behalf of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

"I'm here to support the boys that were abused," Geneva resident Kate Bochte said. "We want them to know how grateful we are they have come forward."

Others said they had concerns about a former parishioner aiding in Flores' defense.

"There's something wrong with the system," said Therese Albrecht of Chicago, who said a priest raped her at age 8. "And we're going to stand tall until we get this right."

Flores remained in the Kane County jail, where he was being held on $1 million bond. His next court date is May 28 in front of Judge T. Jordan Gallagher.