The former tumbling coach charged with having sexual conduct with an underage prostitute will be in court again Jan. 16.
Ray Saleh, 51, of Oswego, made an appearance Wednesday by video hookup before a Will County judge. His case was continued to 9 a.m. Jan. 16 in Courtroom 405 for a preliminary hearing.
It’s possible that hearing will include the appointment of a public defender as his attorney, court sources said.
Saleh is being held in the Will County Adult Detention Facility on a $500,000 bond.
Saleh was arrested by Will County Sheriff’s deputies at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Naperville police spokesman Sgt. Bill Davis. An arrest warrant was issued Dec. 26 for him with the charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, patronizing a minor engaged in prostitution, and patronizing a prostitute, according to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
The victim was older than 13 but younger than 17, when Saleh committed sexual acts with her, according to court documents.
Davis said Naperville police began investigating the case in September. Based on a Crime Stoppers bulletin issued Sept. 21, The Naperville Sun reported that investigators were seeking a man who had told the alleged victim his name was Joey.
“As a result of the Crime Stoppers, a witness came forward with information on the case and Saleh was identified as the offender,” Davis said by email Wednesday morning.
A spokeswoman for ICE All-Star Cheer in Aurora said Tuesday that Saleh has been fired from his coaching position at the facility.
Saleh also previously worked at Naperville Gymnastics, according to the owner.
“He hasn’t worked for us in over a year,” said Keith Carter, the owner of the gymnastics club, which recently moved to 800 Enterprise Court, Naperville.
Saleh worked there for “a few years,” he said, and left their employment for reasons unrelated to the current charges.
Staff writer Susan Frick Carlman contributed to this report.