Judge: Accused W. Dundee youth pastor may travel
A West Dundee church youth director accused of having sex with a minor made his first court appearance Thursday and was granted permission from a judge to travel to Massachusetts for a family reunion next month.
Chad A. Coe, 31, of Elgin, was arrested earlier this month on charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The most serious charge can send him to prison for up to 15 years and he would have to register as a sex offender.
Coe is accused of having sex in June with a girl between 13 and 17 years old, according to court records. He has been placed on paid administrative leave from his post as the First Congregational Church of Dundee’s Director of Youth Ministries until the case is over.
Coe was released on $10,000 bond, ordered not to have contact with his accuser, not to have contact with minors and to surrender his passport.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Lori Schmidt objected to Coe’s request to travel with his parents for his grandfather’s 97th birthday.
“It appears to be a family reunion. The defendant could have possible access to children,” said Schmidt, who noted Coe would be staying at a hotel during the trip and not at a relative’s house.
Defense attorney D.J. Tegeler stressed that Coe does not have a criminal record and will be supervised by his parents.
“He’ll be traveling with his parents,” Tegeler said. “There are no other allegations that have ever come up against my client. His grandfather is 97. This (trip) was planned well in advance.”
Judge James Hallock granted Coe permission to travel “so long as his parents are in his constant presence.”
Coe is next due in court on Aug. 30.