Bail reduced for Elburn man accused of sexually abusing minor

An Elburn man and Naperville firefighter who has been charged with child sex abuse and soliciting a minor for sex had his bail reduced from $250,000 to $100,000 by a Kane County associate judge Thursday.

Richard L. Herra, 49, of the 400 block of Reader Street, appeared in Kane County court asking Judge Linda Abrahamson to reduce his bail, according to a news release from the Kane County state's attorney's office Thursday evening.

Judge Abrahamson, over the objection of the Kane County state's attorney's office, granted the request and set Herra's new bail at $100,000, meaning he'd have to post $10,000 to be released from Kane County jail.

Herra has been arrested by police twice in the past month. On Sept. 25, he was arrested and charged with indecent solicitation of a child, attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse and indecent solicitation of a child through the internet.

He was released on Sept. 27 on his signature without posting a cash bond. On Sept. 29, he was arrested again and accused of sexually abusing a different victim. Herra was charged with six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a felony that carries a top prison term of seven years and lifetime registration as a sex offender if convicted.

If he pays $10,000 and is released from jail, he will be barred from having contact with anyone younger than 17, excluding immediate family members. He would also be prohibited from going to the victim's school.

Herra will next be in court on Nov. 17.