News

Sexually abused boy met adult on internet: police

By James Pluta

A 23-year-old man charged last week in the alleged sexual abuse of a
15-year-old Brookfield boy in the downtown La Grange parking deck
apparently met the minor over the Internet — leading investigators to also
confiscate his home computer.

Police arrested Scott Madura of Crystal Lake on a single count of
aggravated criminal sexual abuse of the minor child — a boy and not a girl
as originally reported — after a midnight shift officer on routine patrol
discovered the two in a parked car inside the deck shortly after midnight
March 2.

The officer apparently noticed the windows of the car steamed up and
Madura and the child engaged in sexual activity, according to police. The
deck is located at 80 S. 6th Avenue, immediately east of La Grange Road
between Harris and Cossitt avenues.

Although it could take up to six months for the FBI crime laboratory to
complete its analysis of the computer’s contents and to determine whether
Madura has had any other illegal contact with minors, investigators have
stated their focus is with the latest charge, a Class 2 felony.

Madura, being held on a $200,000 bond in the Cook County Jail, is
scheduled for arraignment on Monday, March 22 in the county’s Bridgeview
courthouse.

The charges were leveled against Madura after he allegedly admitted to
abusing the boy when questioned by police. At the time of Madura’s arrest,
the boy was turned over to the custody of his parents.

Upon investigating, it was discovered the two met over an Internet chat site.

See related Commentary Page.