EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Prosecutors in southern Illinois say a man will be committed to a state corrections facility after jurors found him to be a sexually dangerous person.
Proceedings started earlier this week in Edwardsville for James Lopes, who was accused of promoting sexual relations with children as a religious rite. The Madison County state’s attorney said Thursday that the jury’s decision means Lopes will be sent to an Illinois Department of Corrections facility specifically designed for sex offenders.
Lopes still faces three counts of grooming for allegedly handing out cards directing people to online videos of him promoting sexual relations with children in April 2016.
Lopes has been held in lieu of $75,000 bail at Madison County jail since last year. He has opted to represent himself throughout the process.
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