Judge acquits former North Boone teacher of sexual assault
Updated: Feb. 8, 2019, 1:34 p.m.
A Winnebago County judge rules Scott M. Brady not guilty of criminal sexual assault after being accused of having a year-long relationship with a student who helped him while he coached a soccer team.
The judge says the state failed to prove all elements needed for reasonable doubt.
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Closing arguments were made Friday in the case of Scott Brady.
Brady is a former North Boone High School teacher and coach accused of having a year-long relationship with a student.
Prosecutors say the issue comes down to supervision and trust of authority. The state argues Brady was a supervisor because he was a teacher at the high school when the victim attended.
Prosecutors say evidence admitted to the court, such as text messages, and evidence found in the victim's room all point to a sexual relationship.
The defense opened closing arguments by saying teachers have an important role to society. Attorneys argued Brady was not in a supervising role over the victim because he had no authority over her during the time of the relationship.
The defense also argued Brady loved the victim and that evidence admitted showed a loving relationship.
A verdict is expected to be announced when the court reconvenes Friday, Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
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Updated Jan. 29, 2019, 9:56 a.m.
A former science teacher and soccer coach at North Boone High School is on trial for allegedly having a year-long relationship with a student.
Scott Brady, 53, is accused of having a relationship with a student referred to as E.G. between Dec. 2015 and 2016.
He pleaded not guilty and is on a bench trial this week in Winnebago County Court.
In court Tuesday, witnesses including Brady's ex-wife Michele testified that she "felt like he (Brady) needed to be careful" communicating with students through text messages. She also said she found a box of condoms in Scott's glove box and noticed some were missing. When Michele confronted Scott about it, she said he got very angry.
The complaint alleges the teenager was not a direct student of Brady's, but allegedly helped him manage the boy's soccer team while Brady was a coach. Brady resigned from his position in Dec. 2016.
Court documents say the relationship started with touching of genitals and in July turned to sex.
Brady was arrested in Apr. 2017 and later pleaded not guilty.
More witnesses are taking the stand Tuesday, including Jacob Hubert, Principal at North Boone High School and Boone County Detective Tim Fleming.
Brady faces four counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
If convicted, he could spend up to 74 years in prison.
We'll provide more details as we learn them.
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Updated: 5:57 PM, Apr 13, 2017
The former North Boone High School teacher accused of having a year-long relationship with a student at the school pleads not guilty.
52-year-old Scott Brady was a science teacher and boys soccer coach but resigned back in December according to investigators.
The criminal complaint alleges Brady had a sexual relationship with a teen at the school, but it was not his student.
The relationship allegedly spanned between 2015 and 2016. If found guilty, Brady could faces up to 74 years in prison. He’s expected to appear in court next month.
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Updated: 5:57 PM, Apr 13, 2017
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- For the second time in a week a teacher who recently worked in the North Boone School District is arrested and charged with sexually abusing a child.
Former high school science teacher and boys soccer coach Scott Brady, 52, is in jail, accused of having a yearlong relationship with a teenage student from the school. As the criminal case now begins the school is also responding, hoping to put parents minds at ease.
"No parent should ever drop their child off at school and have anything but trust when they do so," Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato said.
However, that trust may now be wavering at North Boone High School after Brady is charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
The criminal complaint alleges the relationship with a teen at the school who was not Brady's student stretched from December 2015 to December 2016. Court documents say the relationship started with touching of genitals and in July turned to sex.
"We expect our children to be safe at school, everyone does. We will do everything from our standpoint from a police agency, a law enforcement agency, to make sure if allegations come forward we conduct a complete and thorough investigation," Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea, said.
Investigators say Brady resigned in December after the allegations came to light.
North Boone Superintendent Michael Greenlee released a statement saying in part, "We go through an extensive hiring process that includes a thorough background check before we hire teachers or staff, and we also provide mandatory, continuing ethics training."
Brady lives in Rockford and police say the alleged activity happened at his home which is why Rockford Police and the Winnebago County State’s Attorney are involved in this case.
If found guilty Brady could face up to 74 years in prison. He would also have to register as a sex offender.
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Posted: 1:27 PM, Apr 13, 2017
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- A Former teacher and coach at North Boone High School is accused of sexual assault.
According to the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office, 52-year-old Scott Brady is charged with four counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of criminal sexual abuse.
It involved a child under 18-years-old and happened between December 2015 and 2016. The victim was a student at the school but was not a student or athlete of Brady's.
Brady resigned from his job in December.
Brady is being held in jail on $300,000 bond.
He'll be in court later on Thursday.
