New Sex Abuse Charges For Prospect Heights Couple Accused Of Assaulting Teens

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL — A Prospect Heights couple arrested earlier this year following accusations they forced teenage boys to perform sex acts in their home face additional charges in four new cases, according to the Chicago Tribune. Anthony Wheeler, 25, and his husband, Christopher, 31, initially were charged with several counts of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse this spring. More counts of assault and abuse were added Tuesday, and the couple now faces child pornography, indecent solicitation of a child and aggravated domestic battery charges.

The Wheelers originally were arrested and charged in March following a police investigation that was sparked by a 15-year-old boy who needed medical attention after he was allegedly sexually assaulted by the couple, the report stated. The men were accused of luring teens into their home to abuse them, and they at times would show the teenage victims pornography and serve them alcohol, the report added.

According to Cook County prosecutors, the new cases involve alleged sexual abuse that began as early as November of 2015, the report stated. The victims at that time were 14 years old, and one boy was only 11 when the new abuse allegations are said to have happened, the report added. Prosecutors said the new cases also include a teenage relative who was victimized for five years, according to the Daily Herald.

Along with the alleged sexual abuse of the teens, the Wheelers are accused of beating their victims, allegedly hitting one boy with pots and pans after showing an attraction to girls, the Tribune reports. Prosecutors claim the couple used the alleged beatings to play on their victims' vulnerability and manipulate them, the report added.

Investigators working the new cases uncovered videos of the Wheelers that allegedly showed them having sex with the teens, the Herald reports. Digital files deleted by the couple and recovered by police also depict images of the alleged abuse of the victims, the report added.

After the arrests in March, Anthony Wheeler was held on $3 million bond, and bond for Christopher Wheeler was $4 million. Following the filing of new charges Tuesday, the public defenders representing the couple asked that the men be released on electronic monitoring, the Tribune reports.

Assistant State’s Attorney Lorna Amado-Chevlin, however, argued the Wheelers still posed a danger to the public and were a flight risk after bus tickets had been found at their home, according to the Herald. Judge Steven Goebel agreed with prosecutors and ordered the couple held without bail while they await trial, the report added. With the list of new charges, the couple could individually face more than 300 years in prison if convicted.

The Wheelers had been living with two children, one adopted and another from foster care, according to the Tribune. The Department of Child and Family Services said the adopted child was now living with a relative, and the foster child had been placed with another family, the report added.

More via the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald

Anthony Wheeler, 25 (left) and Christopher Wheeler, 31 (Photos via the Cook County Sheriff's Office)