CHICAGO (CBS) — A wrestling coach from the south suburbs has been taken into custody on allegations of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl earlier this year at his previous residence in Glenwood. Aaron Richmond, 31, of Harvey, faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual assault, as reported by Glenwood police. Richmond, […]
CHICAGO (CBS) — A wrestling coach from the south suburbs has been taken into custody on allegations of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl earlier this year at his previous residence in Glenwood.
Aaron Richmond, 31, of Harvey, faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual assault, as reported by Glenwood police.
Richmond, who was a teacher and wrestling coach at Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, allegedly picked the girl up from her home in March, under the pretext of taking her to a wrestling tournament at her school in Springfield. Once he collected her, he claimed he needed to return home to gather things for the trip.
He invited her into his home to wait, stating he had to fetch supplies for the wrestling event, but shortly after they entered, he sexually assaulted her, according to police. He then drove her to the tournament and instructed her not to disclose what had transpired.
In May, the victim wrote a paper for school discussing inappropriate behavior between staff and students, according to prosecutors. Following an inquiry by school personnel into her paper, she disclosed the assault to them that occurred in March. The school informed her mother, who subsequently discovered a photo the girl had inadvertently taken of herself during the assault.
Three friends later reported to police that the girl had confided in them about the incident.
Richmond resigned from Thornton Fractional in June, based on a report from the school district’s board meeting that month.
After an investigation, authorities arrested Richmond on Wednesday. During his initial court hearing on Friday, a judge ordered his detention at Cook County Jail as he awaits trial. His next court date is set for December 31.
