43 counts of sex crimes against children alleged

A Canton man was jailed Tuesday on suspicion of an assortment of sex crimes against children younger than 14.

Matthew W. Dudte, 51, Canton, was held in lieu of a combined $1 million in bonds.

Included in the suggested charges against Dudte are rape of a child younger than 14, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated incest, and aggravated endangerment of a child.

Sheriff Jeff Soyez said the case involved 43 incidents that took place in Marion County over the past 15 years. Three to four victims are involved, and all live in Marion County, he said.

Department of Children and Families alerted the sheriff’s office of the case, Soyez said.