How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jon L. Demers UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Collinsville, Illinois, foster father and Boy Scout volunteer Jon L. Demers, 53, “is accused of repeatedly molesting a young male relative.” He was charged with “12 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for fondling the boy between July 2005 and February 2011, court documents state.

The boy was 10 years old when the alleged abuse began and 15 at the time it ended. The abuse allegedly took place at Demers’ residence and in other locations in Illinois and Missouri. ”

Demers admitted to police that he had molested “two other male juveniles.”

On Friday April 10, he was “charged with four more felonies [aggravated criminal sexual abuse] related to the molestation of another child.” The 13-year-old alleges that “Demers fondled the victim and rubbed the victim’s abdomen for sexual gratification.”
Boy Scout volunteer charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse
[News Democrat 4/8/11 by Kevin Bersett]

Scout volunteer charged in sex abuse case tells Collinsville police he molested two other boys
[News Democrat 4/8/11 by Kevin Bersett]

Scout volunteer charged in molestation of another child
[News Democrat 4/10/11 by Beth Hundsdorfer]

Update: “A Collinsville man previously charged with 12 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse has been charged with eight additional counts of sexual misconduct with minors.

Jon Demers, 54, was arrested April 5 after admitting to molesting a juvenile while he was a Boy Scout leader.

The victim’s family contacted police and told them that Demers had sexually abused the victim over six years at Demers’ home and other locations throughout Illinois and Missouri.

Demers admitted to not only molesting that victim, but also several other children in Collinsville and other areas.

He was released after posting $100,000 cash bond.”

“The new charges against Demers include one count of predatory criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault, and five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Demers was arrested at his home in Collinsville.

He’s being held at the Collinsville Police Department on a $100,000 cash-only bond.”

Jon Demers charged with more counts of sexual misconduct with minors
[KSDK 8/12/11]

Update 2/February 26, 2012:

St. Clair County State’s Attorney announced the following on August 22, 2011:

” KELLY FILES ADDITIONAL CHARGES
AGAINST FORMER BOY SCOUT LEADER

Belleville, IL – August 22, 2011– St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan F. Kelly announced today that fifty-three year old Jon Demers (d.o.b. 07/02/1957) of Collinsville, Illinois has been charged in two separate files with eight additional counts of crimes alleging sexual misconduct with minors.

The new charges include one count of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault, and five counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Kelly had previously charged Demers with twelve counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse.

Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault is a class x felony and is punishable by between six and thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

A warrant for Demers’ arrest was signed by the Honorable Judge Jan V. Fiss. A total bond of $1,000,000.00 was set by Judge Fiss on the new charges.

This case was investigated by the Collinsville, Illinois Police Department.

Kelly stated, “These additional charges arise out of new disclosures by victims to law enforcement officials.”

Members of the public are reminded that the criminal charges against Jon Demers are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

A search of St. Clair County public court records found that he is due for status conference and pre-trial conference on March 21, 2012 for the following charges: 12 counts of aggravated sexual abuse. These are Class 2 felonies.

Update 3/June 22, 2012

Another search of St. Clair County public court records reveals that the new status conference and pretrial conferences are scheduled for June 26, 2012.

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update 4/hat tip to commenter victim family member for alerting us to the trial:

“A 55-year-old Collinsville, Ill. has been found guilty on twelve counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Jon L. Demers, a former Boy Scout leader, was convicted Thursday by a jury that deliberated for around 90 minutes.

St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan F. Kelly says the charges stem from a pattern of sexual abuse that occurred between July 2005 and January 2011 in St. Clair County.

Deners was arrested in April 2011 after a victim’s family member contacted police about six years of abuse.

According to police, Demers admitted to molesting that victim, along with other children.

He faces up to seven years in prison.”

Jon Demers found guilty on 12 sex charges

[KDSK 3/14/13 by Brandie Piper]

Another search of St. Clair County public court records reveals that May 9 is the sentencing for the 12 counts. Also it is the pretrial conference for an additional 4 counts of AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE – Class 2 Felony.

Trial still needs to be scheduled for 1 count of PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD , a Class X Felony  and 2 counts of CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT , a Class 1 Felony

Update 5/August 12, 2013

Another search of St. Clair County public court records reveals that a trial for some counts has been scheduled for September 23, 2013.

He was sentenced to 6 years in prison for previous charges he was found guilty on.

Update 6/September 2, 2014

http://protectinginnocence.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/jon-l-demers-molest-kids/ says that he was sentenced to
15 years  for predatory sexual assault of a child, and an additional 10 years for two counts of sexual assault in addition the 6 years.