Antioch grade school teacher resigns after admitting abuse
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An Antioch Upper Grade School teacher who has been on paid administrative leave since he was charged with criminal sexual assault turned in his resignation this week, school officials confirmed.
Wes Owens, 52, faces up to seven years in prison after admitting he carried on a sexual relationship with a former student for several years. Owens pleaded guilty this week.
Antioch Elementary School District 34 Superintendent Scott Thompson said Owens submitted his resignation April 27. He has been on unpaid leave since Oct. 8, Thompson said. The school board has not yet had an opportunity to act on Owens' resignation. The next regular meeting is May 18, though the board could call a special meeting sooner, officials said.
Lake County Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak said he was "reluctantly" accepting a guilty plea from Owens, because the original charges against him were reduced.
Owens, of unincorporated McHenry County, was arrested in September after an investigation by police in Lake and McHenry counties.
