Man facing exposure charge gets $150,000 bail at chaotic hearing

A woman collapsed outside a DuPage County courtroom Wednesday after a $150,000 bail was set for her nephew, who is accused of exposing himself to two young girls.

Family members of defendant Nikolai Anderson rushed to help the woman, whom they said recently had surgery, before leaving the building.

Anderson, 18, of Bellwood, has been charged with attempted predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, sexual exploitation of a child and misdemeanor indecent solicitation of a child stemming from a recent incident at Pioneer Park in Elmhurst.

Prosecutors said he exposed himself and made lewd remarks to two girls, ages 12 and 14, after he and a friend approached on bicycles about 8 p.m. Aug. 19.

When police arrived, Anderson tried to flee on his bicycle, Assistant State’s Attorney Amanda Meindl said in court.

Defense attorney Matthew Sperry said Anderson attends Triton College in River Grove and hopes to join the Navy after his case is “favorably resolved.” He has no prior criminal history.

Sperry said Anderson voluntarily surrendered after he was charged, but prosecutors said police spent days looking for him.

Judge Elizabeth Sexton set bail at $150,000 and ordered Anderson to have no computer access unless it’s for homework and no contact with children.

Anderson, of the 500 block of Bohland Avenue, would have to post $15,000 to be released. Sperry said his client’s family could come up with $3,000.

Anderson is set to appear Sept. 17 before Judge Blanche Hill Fawell, according to court records. If convicted of the most serious charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison.