DeKalb man who tried to flee to Canada charged with sexual abuse of a child

DeKALB – A DeKalb man is facing charges of sexually abusing a child and was arrested after trying to flee to Canada, said prosecutors said Monday.

Jeffrey D. Colschen, 40, of the 1400 block of Elmwood Avenue in DeKalb, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse in an incident police believe occurred around July 17, according to DeKalb County court records.

If convicted, he could face up to 14 years in jail and fines up to $25,000.

Colschen appeared before DeKalb County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Montgomery Monday for a bond hearing. Montgomery set his bond at $250,000. Colschen would have to post $25,000 to get out of jail.

DeKalb County First Assistant State’s Attorney Stephanie Klein said Monday that Colschen was part of a police investigation into a child sexual abuse case.

Klein said that Colschen was originally interviewed as part of the investigation, and when a DeKalb police detective told Colschen a warrant was issued for his arrest, Colschen indicated he’d be turning himself in.

“That did not occur,” Klein said. “Colschen was arrested in Koochiching County, Minnesota, trying to cross over the border into Canada. At the time he was arrested, they also found he had a gun with him.”

Klein said the sexual abuse incident came to light when the victim told a friend who then told her mother, who reported it to police.

Colschen, who also has a pending domestic battery charge from January in DeKalb County, is next scheduled to appear for a status hearing 9 a.m.
Nov. 13.