Two former Aledo police officers charged in connection with sexual solicitation and abuse involving an under-aged high school girl were in court on Wednesday, January 14, 2015.
Steve Bonynge, 32, of Aledo and Seth Degelman,30, of Reynolds appeared with their attorneys for scheduled arraignments on the charges in Mercer County Court.
Bonynge's attorney, Bill Gullberg of Monmouth, entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client and later said he believes there has been a rush to judgement in the case.
"Everybody is innocent unless they're proven guilty and it seems like certain people assume Mr. Bonynge is guilty and he's not," said Gullberg.
A special prosecutor from the Attorney General's Office in Springfield has been assigned to handle the prosecution.
Evidence, including alleged text messages between the officers and the girl, are under seal.
Degelman's arraignment hearing was continued because his attorney, Dave Morrison is a former law partner of Judge Ted Kutsunis.
"I cannot by law, hear any of his cases," Judge Kutsunis explained to Degelman.
That arraignment was set for January 15.
Both officers resigned, before a disciplinary hearing was held.
"He resigned under pressure. He was told if he didn't resign he would be released, so he didn't feel like he would get a fair hearing," Gullberg said.
Both men remained free on bond.