After a two-day jury trial, a jury in McDonough County Circuit Court found James Wade, 62, of Macomb, guilty of three counts of criminal sexual abuse. A sentencing date has been set for Dec. 17.
A warrant for Wade, who was accused of sexually abusing two minors, was issued May 29 following an investigation that began in March. He was arrested and detained June 2. Wade faces three to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for each count.
Upon release, he will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
“I’d like to thank the Macomb Police Department and the Advocacy Center for Children for their investigation and help,” said McDonough County State’s Attorney Matt Kwacala.
“Most of all we would like to acknowledge the two brave minor victims who testified before the jury during the trial. We hope their courage will help inspire others to speak out and report any suspected sexual abuse.”
Two other alleged sex offenders are currently awaiting trial in McDonough County Circuit Court.
Christopher Metcalf of Macomb, remains detained in the McDonough County Jail. The 44-year-old will appear for a pre-trial hearing later this month. Metcalf was arrested Nov. 26, 2024 at his Macomb home in the 200 block of North Sherman Avenue and charged with disseminating child pornography through an online platform and six counts of possession of child pornography, appeared Aug. 18.
He has pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial.
Metcalf has been lodged in the McDonough County Jail since his November 2024 arrest.
Jeremy Sholl, 43, of Galesburg, remains in custody at the McDonough County Jail on six felony counts: two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, Class X felonies; two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Class 2 felonies; and two counts of criminal sexual assault, Class 1 felonies. Sholl has pleaded not guilty to the allegations involving two female minors and has requested a jury trial. He was arrested Feb. 11 at his Galesburg residence by McDonough County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Illinois State Police Zone 4 special agents. According to authorities, the allegations came to light in late 2025 after Sholl allegedly sent text messages to a third party describing his conduct.
Authorities say the messages provided a detailed account of the alleged abuse.
The alleged incidents involving the two minors reportedly occurred from November 2011 through December 2012, when the girls were eight years old. Additional allegations involve a four-month period in 2018, when the girls were between 13 and 17 years old.
