$250,000 bail for Sandburg teacher charged with sex abuse

An Orland Park teacher and coach accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old student at the teacher's home near Hinsdale was ordered held Tuesday on $250,000 bail.

Steven E. Reynolds, 26, of the 600 block of 55th Street in unincorporated DuPage County, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said Reynolds had sexual contact with a 17-year-old female student from Carl Sandburg High School at his home Jan. 28. The victim reported the incident to friends, who alerted school officials, according to the state's attorney's office. The school said it immediately notified police and the Department of Children and Family Services.

“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,” State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “He allegedly betrayed the trust placed in him by the victim, the victim's parents and the school to satisfy his own desires.”

The sheriff's office identified Reynolds as a substitute teacher and freshman basketball coach at Carl Sandburg. School administrators learned of the allegations Monday and will continue to “cooperate fully with authorities,” said Orland Park District 230 spokeswoman Carla Erdey.

“I would like to commend the individuals who brought this information to the school's attention and the swift manner in which the school administration and local authorities addressed this very sensitive situation,” Superintendent James Gay said in a statement.

The district released no further information, citing an ongoing investigation.

Judge Elizabeth Sexton set Reynolds' bail at $250,000, meaning he would have to post $25,000 to bond out of jail. Arraignment is set for March 5 in front of Judge George Bakalis.