On November 22, 2013, the Champaign Police Department received a report regarding a sexual abuse allegation involving a 13-year-old student and a staff member for Unit #4 school district. The alleged incident occurred on November 8, 2013, at Edison Middle School, located at 306 West Green Street, Champaign, Illinois, during school hours. Since the initial report, Champaign Police Detectives have been investigating this allegation with the cooperation and coordination of Unit #4 School District and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). During the investigation Champaign Police Detectives identified the alleged suspect to be Herbert Howard, a Hall Monitor for Unit #4. Once the investigation was concluded, the findings of this investigation were documented in police reports that were later submitted to the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office on January 10, 2014.
On Thursday, January 23, 2014, Champaign County Circuit Judge John R. Kennedy issued an arrest warrant for the arrest of Herbert J. Howard, 27, the defendant in this case. Howard’s last known address is 502 S. Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL. The charge listed on the arrest warrant, and filed by the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, is listed as Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. The bond is affixed at $25,000.00. At this time, the Champaign Police Department is attempting to locate and arrest Herbert J. Howard so he can be arraigned on this charge. Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Herbert Howard can call the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545. Callers can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (TIPS); submitting tips online at www.373tips.com; or texting the following: CCTIP plus the information to (CRIMES) 274637.