Former church youth worship leader pleads guilty to sex abuse charges

A youth worship leader at a Lake Villa church pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually abusing two girls under the age of 18 years.

Matthew J. Harder, 18, of Round Lake Beach, was sentenced to 18 months of periodic imprisonment and 36 months of felony probation as part of the negotiated plea agreement approved by Lake County Judge George Bridges. Six months of the 18-month periodic imprisonment sentence will be dropped if Harder successfully completes the parameters of felony probation, Bridges said.

Harder was also sentenced to 200 hours of public service and he was ordered to submit to sex offender and mental health evaluations. He must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, Bridges said.

Harder is not allowed to have any contact with the victims or the Chain O' Lakes Community Bible Church where he was a volunteer, Bridges said. Harder also is not allowed to consume drugs or alcohol, and he must submit to random drug an alcohol testing.

Assistant State's Attorney John Brown and defense attorney Marie J. Taraska did not comment after Bridges approved the negotiated plea deal.

Authorities said Harder was serving as a youth worship leader at the church when he inappropriately touched the girls while driving them home on separate occasions. The girls reported the abuse to church officials, who contacted police, authorities said.

Harder admitted to sheriff's detectives he was involved in inappropriate sexual contact with both victims, authorities said. The investigation resulted in 16 varying counts of criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse against Harder.

After his arrest, Harder was freed from Lake County jail after posting the required 10 percent of his $250,000 bail.

He could have been sentenced up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charge at trial.