A former choir teacher at Metea Valley High School has been charged with having inappropriate sexual contact with a former student.
During a 5-month period beginning in February 2019, the 42-year-old Oswego man allegedly sexually assaulted his victim, who was seventeen years old at the time, on multiple occasions at multiple locations within the school. The alleged abuse came to light when the victim reported it to authorities last year.
After an investigation by the Aurora Police Department and the DuPage County Children’s Center, the suspect has been charged with nine counts of Criminal Sexual Assault – Position of Trust/Authority (Class 1 Felony) and three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Position of Trust/Authority (Class 2 Felony).
The man appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Susan Alvarado set his bond at $500,000 with 10% to apply.
“Teachers are role models who students look up to and in whom parents place a great amount of trust,” DuPage County State’s Attorney stated while announcing the charges. “It is alleged that [this teacher] used his position of trust and authority to seduce his victim into giving him what he wanted. If the allegations against [him] are true, he violated that trust in the worst possible way. I thank officials at Metea Valley High School for their complete cooperation throughout this investigation and I commend the Aurora Police Department, notably, Detective Laura Kolanowski, for their outstanding work on this very disturbing case. I also thank the DuPage County Children’s Center, particularly Investigator Boris Vrbos and as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Fisher for his work on this case and their ongoing efforts in protecting our children from sexual predators.”
If found guilty of all counts, sentencing guidelines dictate that imposed sentences on the Class 1 Felonies must run consecutively, thus exposingthe accused to a minimum of thirty-six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 2, 2022 for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
