Former Youth Coach Going To Prison On Sex Charges
JOLIET (CBS) -- A former local youth soccer coach is heading to prison after pleading guilty Monday to one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of aggravated child pornography.
Darrell J. Stephenson, 25, formerly of 2038 Manico in Crest Hill, will spend five years in the Department of Corrections after agreeing to a plea deal in Will County Circuit Court.
Stephenson was arrested in June 2011 on a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, accused of molesting a 12-year-old boy in fall 2010.
A few days later, three counts of aggravated possession of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography were added. Prosecutors said they found videos and photos on a hard drive while investigating the sex abuse allegations.
Stephenson was a youth soccer coach in Frankfort, Plainfield and Joliet.
He student-taught at Plainfield School District's Aux Sable Middle School in Joliet during the second semester of the 2008-09 school year.
In spring 2007, he was a volunteer assistant boys volleyball coach at Plainfield High School's Central campus. In spring 2008, he was a paid assistant boys volleyball coach at the Plainfield school
Stephenson was a substitute teacher for Joliet Township High School District during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
