Former Aurora Christian Schools board member charged with sexual abuse of minor
An Aurora man who once served on the Aurora Christian Schools board is facing charges of sexual abuse against a minor.
Michael Robert Herbert, 55, is charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor under 17, criminal sexual assault, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor age 17-18, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse materials.
Aurora police said Herbert was under investigation since December 2025 when a man, now in his 20s, reported Herbert groomed and sexually abused him in his early teens. Police said the man told investigators Herbert provided “gifts, money and other incentives as part of the ongoing manipulation and abuse.”
Herbert was arrested Thursday and was ordered held in jail ahead of his trial. Herbert’s next court date is May 27.
In court Friday, prosecutors said Herbert began abusing the boy in 2015 when he was 13. The abuse ended in 2019 when the boy turned 18. Herbert was the boy’s tutor at some point as well.
Prosecutors added that Herbert told detectives he had abused two other minors.
Since his arrest, Aurora Police detectives have identified additional adult males previously unknown to investigators who reported being abused by Herbert during their youth.
The Aurora Police Department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify additional victims and investigate additional alleged criminal activity across multiple jurisdictions.
Investigators allege the incidents occurred at multiple locations within Aurora, as well as in jurisdictions outside the state of Illinois.
Officials at Aurora Christian Schools said leadership there was “not answering any questions” about Herbert’s arrest. He is no longer listed as a member of the school board on the group’s website, but online records show he previously served as vice chairman and secretary of the board.
His wife is still employed by Aurora Christian Schools, though, according to court records.
Herbert is also a real estate attorney and is still licensed to practice in Illinois, according to the state’s Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.
Aurora police said the investigation is still ongoing as they review additional electronic devices and interview others. More charges are possible.
Anyone with information related to this investigation, or who believes they may have had contact with Herbert under similar circumstances, is urged to contact Aurora police at (630) 256-5500 or email tips@aurora.il.us.
• Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.