Crystal Lake airline pilot accused of sexually assaulting 5-year-old child released pending trial – Shaw Local

A Crystal Lake man accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old child he knew was released from county jail Wednesday on pretrial detention.

Mathew D. Bell, 31, is charged with one count of predatory sexual assault of a child under 13, a Class X felony. A Class X felony conviction is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Bell, a United Airlines pilot, is accused of assaulting the child, who let out “multiple screams,” Assistant District Attorney Anthony Marin said, asking that Bell be held in the county jail detention center.

But Bell’s attorney, Stavri Vako, argued for Bell’s release, saying he poses neither a danger to the child or the community nor a flight risk. He said Bell, recently promoted to captain, had the means and a job and “had a plan to go to O’Hare, get on a plane and take off, but he didn’t do it.”… He turned himself in and cooperated fully with the investigation.”

Vako said Bell has denied the allegations “from day one.” He also said Bell has no criminal background, has no problems at work and is always working.

But Marin provided Judge Carl Metz with graphic details about the allegations, saying the girl was heard praying to God for the abuse to stop. Bell was “pathological,” exhibited “predatory behavior,” and “nothing can protect her,” Marin said.

“This is a five-year-old girl who has no way of protecting herself and who was literally praying to God to help her,” the prosecutor said.

Vako responded: “These are outrageous allegations and not only is he presumed innocent, he is innocent.”

Metz said he believes the state has proven through the child’s “multiple incidents,” interviews and examinations that the “evidence is strong” that Bell committed the alleged crimes. The judge said he believed Bell posed a threat but that the state had not proven there were “no conditions” to ensure the child’s safety. Metz allowed Bell’s release under additional conditions, including that he not have contact with the girl in the case or other children. He must also hand over his passport to the court. Metz acknowledged that he was an airplane pilot and said Bell must remain in the U.S. at all times. He is required to surrender all firearms and dangerous weapons and to undergo an evaluation as a sex offender.

According to court documents, the girl’s mother has filed a protective order against Bell. He was also ordered to follow all conditions of the order. Bell is due back in court on November 12th.