Elgin hairdresser accused of using client's credit card to buy sperm

A 43-year-old Elgin woman was arraigned Monday on several charges, accused of fraudulently using the credit card of a 93-year-old woman to make online sperm purchases.

Jenifer Perik, of the 300 block of Gladstone Lane in Elgin, is free on $75,000 bail charged with several counts of aggravated identity theft, unlawful use of a credit card, financial institution fraud and continuing financial crimes enterprise.

Assistant State's Attorney Diane Michalak said between August and December 2014, Perik, who was the victim's hairdresser, used the victim's credit card 35 times to ring up more than $6,000 in charges.

According to court documents, Perik, who prosecutors said is about seven weeks pregnant, is accused of spending more than $3,000 on cellphone and communication services. The remaining $3,000, prosecutors said, was spent on fertility vitamins and donor sperm from a Virginia-based fertility website.

Perik was arrested earlier this month when the victim and her daughter noticed the charges on the credit card statement.

Perik is next due in court at 8:30 a.m. on June 5 before Judge John Kinsella. If found guilty on the most serious charge, Perik could face four to 15 years in prison; probation also is an option.