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Probable Cause Found in Felony Sex Case Against Former East Galesburg Village President
The former Village President of East Galesburg can stand trial on charges accusing him of paying young boys for sexual acts.

Knox County Circuit Court Judge Steven Bordner made that ruling Tuesday afternoon in the case of 73-year old Leonard Spicher. Spicher was arrested in late-July and has been formally charged with one-count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Galesburg Police Investigator Joe Luna testified during a hearing that Spicher's neighbor was looking into a window at his residence in the two-hundred block of Bednar Avenue, and noticed a 15-year old boy performing a sexual act on a bed while Spicher allegedly watched. Luna says the boy later told him that both he and a 17-year old boy that was with both performed sexual acts and were paid for them by Spicher, and that several other boys might have done the same in the past.

A search of Spicher's home, Luna says, turned up items like numerous young adult-themed movies, a weight bench, another workout machine, and at least two massaging units. He says Spicher has denied such activity.

Spicher pleaded not guilty Tuesday and demanded a trial by jury.

A pre-trial hearing in the case has been scheduled for October sixth.
08 06 08 by Newsroom
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