Police: Roselle man sexually abused peacock

DuPage County authorities say a Roselle man sexually abused his pet peacock, which later was found dead in his garage.

David Beckmann, 64, of 645 E. Devon Ave., was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after Roselle police said they learned about the abuse and subsequent death of the bird, named Phyl, while investigating another crime.

On Wednesday, Beckmann was booked at the DuPage County jail on separate misdemeanor charges of battery and attempted indecent solicitation of a child. Both of those charges stem from a Tuesday night case in Roselle involving a child between the ages of 13 and 17, court records show.

Roselle police on Friday declined to talk about the animal cruelty charge because they said it's part of the case with the child.

But a spokesman with the state's attorney's office confirmed Beckmann is accused of sexually abusing the peacock.

When and how Phyl died is unclear. But Roselle police indicated they saw the bird's body in the garage of Beckmann's home on the night of April 28, according to court records. Police had seen the bird alive at the home before that date.

Beckmann was being held Friday at the county jail on $10,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 12.

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Josh Stockinger contributed to this report.