Former Church Deacon From Wheaton Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Assault

WHEATON, IL - A Wheaton man who served as a deacon at a bible church in Northwest suburban Roselle has pleaded not guilty to several sex assault charges Monday for assaulting a girl over a period of several years.

Timothy J. Peltz, 51, remains in custody on a $1 million bond and is charged with 18 counts of predatory criminal sexual abuse and five counts of aggravated sexual abuse, according to the Daily Herald. The former deacon at Living Hope Bible Church in Roselle allegedly began assaulting the girl, who is now 16, when she was 3 ½ years old and continued until the girl was 13.

The victim’s mother said Peltz recently attempted to reinitiate contact.

Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Lindt said Peltz blamed the victim for the abuse, which began when the girl was younger than four years old, according to a Daily Herald court account.

"The defendant said this is all the victim's fault because she was too affectionate at 3½," Lindt told a judge.

If convicted of all charges, Peltz could spend anywhere from 24 to 120 years in prison.