Man from Canada accused of molestation in McHenry County

A man from Canada was being held in McHenry County jail after being charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

Robert J. Gould, 51, of Nova Scotia, Canada, was charged in connection with episodes in April in Island Lake and an unincorporated area near Woodstock, the McHenry County sheriff's office said in a news release Thursday.

Gould was charged with four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child; six counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim younger than 13; seven counts of criminal sexual assault of a victim younger than 18; three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse; and one count of criminal sexual assault with force, the release said. His bond was set at $500,000.

The case began when Canadian authorities contacted the sheriff's office with information about possible criminal activity in Illinois, the release stated. Sheriff's investigators worked with the Halifax Regional Police in Nova Scotia to conduct a criminal investigation, and investigators made contact with Gould in August when he was visiting the Wheeling area.

Authorities obtained a warrant for Gould's arrest. Canadian authorities detained Gould Sept. 1, and he was extradited and taken into custody Sept. 19 at Logan International Airport in Boston. He was transported Wednesday to the McHenry County jail.

Gould is next due in court at 9 a.m. Monday.