Matthew Kaufman, 43, of Lena, Stephen County, Illinois, United States is in jail. Aside from Lena, he has lived in other parts of Illinois including Freeport and Hoffman Estates.
In 2016, Kaufman allegedly sexually abused a child under the age of 13. On September 16, 2023, the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office started investigating the allegation.
The Village of Lena Police Department, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation and the Stephenson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation. On October 4, 2023, authorities initiated a search warrant for Kaufman in Lena.
While the warrant was being initiated, Kaufman was detained without incident at a different location in Freeport. He was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.
Kaufman was booked into the Stephenson County Jail in Freeport where he is being held without bail. He may face additional charges as the investigation remains active.
Founded in 1834, Lena was platted in 1853. The village was named after a place mentioned in a poem by Ossian.
On June 3, 2023, Miss Illinois USA 2023 Samantha Elliott, 22, of Freeport attended the Taste of Lena festival in Lena. On September 29, 2023, she represented Illinois at Miss USA 2023 at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, USA and finished in the Top 20.
CONAN Daily 