A former Boy Scouts leader has been charged with sexually abusing a minor in Salem over several years.

Prosecutors charged Terry J. Heck, 56 of Salem, on Friday with first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree online sexual corruption of a child and luring a minor, according to court documents.

The charges allege that Heck subjected a boy to sexual contact between January 2017 and July 2023. 

The victim was 11 years old when the abuse began.

Before Heck’s arrest, a detective posed as the child on social media and engaged in conversation that “resulted in numerous messages of a sexual nature.” Heck arranged to see the boy, but when he arrived, he was arrested instead.

Lieutenant Matt Riddle said, “We would like to speak to anyone who may have additional information about this case.”

Those with information to share can contact Detective Sabrina Hunter at 503-588-6050.

Detectives say Heck was a leader with the Boy Scouts in 2017 when he allegedly first abused the then 11-year-old child. Investigators claim he then “exhibited stalking behavior via social media in the years that followed.”

During the subsequent investigation, an undercover detective messaged with Heck on social media while posing as the underage victim.

A former Boy Scouts leader has been charged with sexually abusing a minor in Salem over several years.

Prosecutors charged Terry J. Heck, 56 of Salem, on Friday with first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree online sexual corruption of a child and luring a minor, according to court documents.

The charges allege that Heck subjected a boy to sexual contact between January 2017 and July 2023. 

The victim was 11 years old when the abuse began.

Before Heck’s arrest, a detective posed as the child on social media and engaged in conversation that “resulted in numerous messages of a sexual nature.” Heck arranged to see the boy, but when he arrived, he was arrested instead.

Lieutenant Matt Riddle said, “We would like to speak to anyone who may have additional information about this case.”

Those with information to share can contact Detective Sabrina Hunter at 503-588-6050.

Detectives say Heck was a leader with the Boy Scouts in 2017 when he allegedly first abused the then 11-year-old child. Investigators claim he then “exhibited stalking behavior via social media in the years that followed.”

During the subsequent investigation, an undercover detective messaged with Heck on social media while posing as the underage victim.