An employee of the Will County Sheriff's Office has been arrested due to allegations of child sexual assault, as confirmed by the sheriff's office in a social media post on Friday morning. The suspect, 41-year-old Daniel T. Herod, was taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, an event that the office has also confirmed. According to a report by ABC 7 Chicago, Herod, who has been on the sheriff's office payroll since May of 2010, most recently worked as a deputy correctional officer at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.
Herod is facing severe charges, including predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under 13 and criminal sexual assault of a family member under 18, with court records detailing a case that was opened on Friday, These developments have come amidst Homeland Security handling the investigation into the allegations. According to a statement acquired by WJOL, the Will County Sheriff's Office will not be making any more comments at this time as the investigation by Homeland Security Investigations remains active and ongoing.
Further details emerged that Herod was due in Will County court on the morning of his arrest for preliminary proceedings, an event which attracted attention to the underlying severity of the accusations he faces. In response to the raid by Homeland Security at Herod's Elwood home and subsequent arrest, the sheriff's office has publicly responded, acknowledging the situation without divulging further insights due to the active status of the case.
The sheriff's office reiterated its stance on the case, stating "As this remains an active and open investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations, the Will County Sheriff’s Office will not be providing further comments at this time," the caution exhibited by the law enforcement agency clearly signals the delicacy with which they are handling this unfolding situation. Herod was expected to appear in Will County Court, room 405, at 9:30 am on the morning following his arrest, where the initial legal processes regarding his charges would commence.
