A former youth group leader in Bloomington faces felony charges for allegedly grooming a teenage girl.
A board member of Western Avenue Community Center [WACC] alerted police to sexual text messages allegedly made by 30-year-old Xavier T. McSwain to a teenage girl, according to a probable cause statement that prosecutors presented in McLean County court.
McSwain, who now lives in Hammond, Indiana, helped start a youth program called YOLO and served as an ambassador. Court documents indicate the teen was in that program. YOLO is not affiliated with Western Avenue.
An official with Western Avenue said McSwain was terminated from his role with the nonprofit after the incident was discovered in June 2025, prosecutors said. McSwain was a part-time employee at a Western Avenue summer program.
McSwain then allegedly told the Western Avenue representative that he would be heading to Chicago until “things blew over,” making it clear he was aware of the situation. Bloomington Police said they began their investigation in June 2025.
McSwain was also a hall monitor at Bloomington Junior High School, prosecutors said. District 87 confirmed in a statement on Monday that McSwain is no longer employed by the district and said the district cannot comment on personnel matters.
"This is a law enforcement matter involving a former employee," the district said.
The teen shared with a representative of Western Avenue screenshots of the conversations with McSwain, according to the probable cause statement. One of the messages allegedly said, “I ain’t going to lie I wish you were older, but don’t nobody have to know and I’m not trying to get in trouble.” He allegedly also told the teen during a gym class at BJHS about conversations he had with another female that were sexual in nature.
The girl’s mother had told police the teen and McSwain had grown close until he started sending sexually explicit messages, prosecutors said.
Bloomington Police arrested McSwain on Tuesday, following his Dec. 31 indictment. He faces one count of grooming. McSwain was released from custody following his court appearance Wednesday. A judge ruled he is not allowed to have contact with minors, except his own child.
Bloomington Police say the investigation is ongoing.
McSwain’s next court date is March 23.
