Former Boy Scout leader from Salem charged with sex abuse

A former Boy Scout leader from Salem was arraigned Monday on charges that he sexually abused an 11-year-old boy in 2017 and continued to stalk him through social media for years after the abuse took place.

Terry Heck, 56, was charged July 6 with sex abuse, online corruption of a child and luring a minor.

Salem Police identified Heck as being affiliated with the Boy Scouts in 2017 when the alleged abuse of the 11-year-old occurred. The Boy Scouts of America did not immediately respond to an email about Heck's past with the organization.

After that alleged abuse was reported, a detective posed as a minor child and communicated with Heck on social media, resulting in sexual messages, Salem Police said.

Detectives arrested Heck the night of July 6 when he was supposed to meet with a potential victim, Salem Police said.

A judge set bail Monday for Heck at $100,000. He was still in custody as of Monday evening, according to Marion County Jail records.

Salem Police are asking anyone with additional information about Heck or the case to contact detective Sabrina Hunter at 503-588-6050.

Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Ex-Boy Scout leader from Oregon charged with sex abuse