Two former Aledo, Illinois police officers faced a court hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to try them for allegations involving sexual contact with a minor.
Steve Bonynge, 32, of Aledo and Seth Degelman,30, of Reynolds, were investigated after the Aledo Police Department received a complaint of an inappropriate relationship between an officer and a juvenile, according to Aledo Police Chief J. Michael Sponsler. Both men surrendered after warrants were issued for their arrests in December 2014.
Court records showed Bonynge was charged with two felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.
“It was a sexual relationship. The allegations were that officer Steven Bonynge had engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile female,” said Illinois State Police Special Agent Brian Masters as he testified at a March 17, 2015 preliminary hearing for Bonynge. Masters said Bonynge and the 16-year-old girl admitted to a three- to four-month relationship, during which they would sometimes meet in her car and sometimes meet in his squad car while he was in uniform.
Court records showed Degelman was charged with one count of indecent solicitiation/aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which is a class 3 felony. During the March 17 preliminary hearing, the prosecutor withdrew the charge, citing a lack of evidence.
Less than a month after they were charged, both officers resigned their positions according to Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch. Bonynge maintained his resignation was involuntary.