Priest accused of assaulting St. Charles boy denied bond reduction

A Kane County judge Thursday refused to reduce bond for a priest charged with sexually assaulting a St. Charles boy.

Attorneys for the Rev. Alejandro Flores, 37, had asked that the priest's bond be reduced from $1 million to $200,000, meaning he would need to post $20,000 cash to be released from the county jail.

In denying the request, Judge T. Jordan Gallagher noted that Flores, who faces up to 67 years in prison if convicted, is not a U.S. citizen and has no family in this country.

Gallagher added that he was uncertain whether the priest would be eligible for electronic home monitoring if he decides to reside in Joliet or at a psychological treatment facility near Baltimore, as the defense has suggested.

"I'm not saying he is a flight risk," Gallagher said. "But I would have some concerns."

Gallagher first heard the request Wednesday, but the hearing was postponed after Flores said he wasn't feeling well and collapsed in the courtroom.

On Thursday, the priest appeared to have recovered.

"You're feeling better, I hope," the judge said.

"Yes," Flores responded.

Flores, of Shorewood, is accused of sexually assaulting a St. Charles boy he met through Holy Family Parish in West Chicago, where Flores used to work. Prosecutors have said the abuse began when the child was 8 and continued for five years.

According to the defense, the Diocese of Joliet has agreed to pay for Flores' treatment at Saint Luke Institute in Maryland, which serves nuns and priests who have a variety of psychological issues, including sex addiction, should he be released. The diocese also has agreed to fund Flores' transportation to and from court in St. Charles if he receives treatment out of state.

Gallagher said he might reconsider the request at a later date.

Flores is due back in court April 8.