Friday, April 14, 2017

Former North Boone teacher, coach faces sex assault charges

Former North Boone teacher, coach faces sex assault charges

Posted Apr 13, 2017 at 12:36 PM Updated at 12:11 AM

By Kristen Zambo
Staff writer

ROCKFORD — Two North Boone High School teachers have been jailed within seven days of each other after each was accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

Scott M. Brady, 52, of Rockford, a former science teacher and soccer coach, appeared in court today after being charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of an underage girl in Rockford.

Brady is held in the Winnebago County Jail on a $300,000 bond.

A North Boone High School special education and math teacher, Sarah Myers, 40, of Garden Prairie, was charged last week in Boone County Circuit Court with criminal sexual assault of a student.

“These two cases are not believed to be related,” Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato said.

North Boone Superintendent Michael Greenlee said in a written statement that the school has an extensive hiring process that includes thorough background checks and mandatory, continuing ethics training.

“We have great, dedicated teachers and staff. Obviously, we are shocked and disappointed at the allegations in these past couple of weeks,” Greenlee said. “In both instances we acted immediately upon learning about the allegations, and we contacted law enforcement.”

Brady resigned in December when school officials notified police of the allegations and an investigation was launched, Bruscato said this afternoon at a news conference. The alleged incidents occurred between December 2015 and December 2016, when the girl was 17 and 18 years old, according to a criminal complaint filed on Wednesday.

“We expect our children to be safe at school. Everybody does,” Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea said.

The teen wasn’t a student in Brady’s science classes, Bruscato said, adding his office has “zero tolerance” for teachers who physically or sexually abuse students.

O’Shea said Brady was charged in Winnebago County because Brady lives in Rockford and the alleged contact occurred there. Bruscato said “while we believe this situation is isolated,” the investigation continues.

Rockford police arrested Brady at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

In bond court, Judge Francis M. Martinez ordered Brady not to have any contact with children.

Brady remains in the Winnebago County Jail and must post $30,000 to bail out. His next court date is May 5.

The sexual assault charges are punishable by four to 15 years in prison and the sexual abuse counts are punishable by three to seven years.

Myers, who faces two counts of criminal sexual assault, is due back in court April 21. According to Myers’ teacher page, she teaches special education at the high school, as well some math courses. She also is a freshman student adviser, her website states. The teen wasn’t a special education student, Sheriff Dave Ernest has said.

Kristen Zambo: 815-987-1339; kzambo@rrstar.com; @KristenZambo

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170413/former-north-boone-teacher-coach-faces-sex-assault-charges

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