Aurora Christian Schools board member charged with sexual assault, abuse: police

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- A west suburban school board member is facing sex abuse charges, police said on Friday.

Michael Robert Herbert, 55, is on the school board of Aurora Christian Schools. The Aurora Police Department is investigating allegations against him involving the long-term sexual abuse of minors.

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In December 2025, a man in his 20s told Aurora police that he had been the victim of child sexual abuse beginning when he was an early teenager.

During the investigation, police said, detectives learned that Herbert allegedly used a trusted relationship to groom and abuse the victim over several years in Aurora and other jurisdictions. He allegedly gave gifts, money, and other incentives as part of the "ongoing manipulation and abuse," police said.

Aurora police detectives also found information indicating that Herbert may have had similar interactions with other teen boys.

Herbert was charged on Thursday with one count of Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor Under 17, four counts of Criminal Sexual Assault - Supervisory Role Victim Over 13 Years Old and Under 17 Years Old, one count of Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor Age 17-18, three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse - Defendant More Than 5 Years Older, and one count of Child Sexual Abuse Material - Possession of Depiction by Computer.

Herbert was taken to the Kane County Adult Justice Center for a detention hearing on Friday.

The investigation remains ongoing. Aurora police asked anyone with information to call them at 630-256-5500 or email tips@aurora.il.us.

Further information was not immediately available.