Trial opens for Oregon man charged with sexual abuse of child in Port Barrington

Details emerged at the start of his trial this week about allegations against an Oregon man who is accused in McHenry County court of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13.

James Schlight, 69, of Ashland, Oregon, is charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13. Each count states of the criminal complaint states he “touched” the girl’s “breasts and buttocks under her clothing with his hands.”

The alleged abuse occurred over four years, from 2014 to 2018, with the charges filed in 2021 after the victim told her parents about Schlight’s alleged actions in a letter, McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Neubauer said.

Schlight was a family friend who visited the gir’s Port Barrington home at least twice a year; he would stay in the family’s guest bedroom in the basement where he would repeatedly invite the child to his bed and give her “back rubs,” Neubauer said.

“Why would a 60 year old man invite a 6-to-11 year-old child to his bed and rub her stomach, chest and butt?” the prosecutor asked at the opening of Schlight’s trial.

The alleged sexual abuse would “continue for years” every time Schlight would visit until the victim started to question what was happening to her at the age of about 11 or 12, Neubauer said. Prosecutors say Schlight would touch the victim for “sexual gratification.”

Catherine O’Daniel, the attorney representing Schlight, said there is no evidence of sexual gratification.

She added there is “no evidence of DNA, arousal, grooming tactics.”

O’Daniel said the girl’s outcry was significantly delayed and there are many discrepancies in her claims, as she was in school or away at camp during some of the dates authorities allege the abuse occurred. In an interview with a Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County employee, the girl uses the words, “I think,” “maybe” and other qualifying terms that can be viewed as uncertainty, O’Daniel said.

The original complaint listed 12 counts, but prosecutors dismissed four of the charges.

A person with Schlight’s name and address is listed as the founder of the software company Inspiredware.

Former McHenry County Sheriff’s Detective Christopher Marvel is listed as the arresting officer in the case. Marvel was charged earlier this year with misconduct, soliciting sexual acts and defrauding a drug and alcohol test. His case is pending. O’Daniel said because of Marvel’s “dishonesty,” his findings in this investigation cannot be relied on.

The bench trial before Judge Mark Gerhardt is scheduled to continue Thursday. Schlight waived his right to a jury trial.