Crime & Safety

Sandburg Basketball Coach Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Abuse Charges

An attorney for Steven Reynolds declined to comment about the case following Monday's court hearing.

A substitute teacher and basketball coach from unincorporated Hinsdale pleaded not guilty Monday in DuPage County court to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 17-year-old student.

Authorities said Steven Reynolds, 26, was involved in acts with the student at his home in the 600 block of 55th Street on Jan. 28. He was arrested by the DuPage County Sherriff’s Office on Feb. 6, after .

Reynolds’ attorney, Joseph M. Laraia of Laraia, Harrison, and Laraia, made no comment about the charges against his client after Monday’s hearing. 

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According to the office of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, the victim told friends about the alleged sexual contact with Reynolds, who in addition to substitute teaching, also coaches the freshman boys basketball team at Sandburg.

The victim's friends informed Carl Sandburg school officials, who immediately contacted the Orland Park Police Department. Reynolds posted bail and was .

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“If these allegations are proven true, Mr. Reynolds used his position of trust and authority as a member of the school faculty to sexually abuse his young victim,” Berlin said in a February release. “He allegedly betrayed the trust placed in him by the victim, the victim’s parents and the school to satisfy his own desires."

According to DuPage County Judge George Bakalis, who is presiding over Reynolds’ case, one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a minimum sentence of 48 months’ probation.

During Monday’s arraignment, the case’s first status hearing was set for April 24 at 8 a.m.


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