Cops: Teen arrested for bringing knife to high school

A 19-year-old from Elgin was arrested Wednesday and charged with bringing a knife to South Elgin High School and trespassing, according to police and court records.

Michael E. Sidman, of the 35W600 block of Crispin Drive, was on suspension from an alternative Elgin Area School District U-46 program called the Central School Program in Elgin when he showed up at 7 a.m. the high school, 760 E. Main St., and offered to sell marijuana to several students, South Elgin Police Detective Sgt. Mike Doty said.

Doty said students told school officials what Sidman was doing, but he ran away only to come back to the school at about 11 a.m.

Sidman was questioned and searched by the school resource officer, who found a knife with a 4-inch blade on Sidman, Doty said. Sidman said he had the knife for “protection,” Doty said.

Doty said officials did not find any marijuana on Sidman’s person and authorities don’t believe any drugs changed hands. Officials also learned that Sidman was on suspension from the school district and not allowed on school grounds, such as the high school, and charged him with trespassing.

Sidman, who is free on bond, is due in court April 25. He faces up to three years in prison on the knife charge if found guilty, but probation, fines and community service also are options. Sidman also faces misdemeanor trespassing charges, which carry up to 364 days in jail.