Wheaton deacon charged with sexually assaulting girl over 10-year period

Timothy Peltz, 51, of Wheaton is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a girl over a 10-year period that began when she was 3½.

A 51-year-old Wheaton man was being held Thursday on $1 million bail after authorities said he repeatedly sexually assaulted a young girl over a 10-year period.

Timothy Peltz, who serves as a deacon at Roselle's Living Hope Bible Church, is charged with four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and faces between 24 and 120 years in prison if convicted.

Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Lindt said Thursday in DuPage County court that Peltz admitted the assaults began 13 years ago when the girl was 3½.

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

Lindt said the assaults stopped when the girl was 13 "because she was able to physically resist" but began again within the past several months.

During the abuse, the victim and Peltz attended counseling, Lindt said.

She said Peltz "threatened (the victim) that one of them would get in trouble" if she exposed the abuse in the counseling sessions.

The girl eventually reported the assaults to her mother, who reported them to police.

Lindt said Peltz is unemployed but his 2014 book "Inspirational Poems for the Soul" remains available for purchase online for $11.99. He also advertises on social media as a Christian artist, performing and writing Christian songs and poems.

Peltz is next due in court Sept. 13 and is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 26.