Ex-Lake Forest High School employee pleads not guilty to sex assault charges
A former Lake Forest High School employee pleaded not guilty Thursday to multiple sex-related charges stemming from a relationship with two underage female students.
Benjamin Davidson, 30, of the 400 block of Exeter Place in Lake Forest, faces 18 total charges dating from December 2010 to January 2013, authorities said in Lake County court.
Davidson could be sentenced up to 15 years in jail for each of the 10 counts of criminal sexual assault, Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak said. Potkonjak added that Davidson could be sentenced to consecutive terms if found guilty of those charges.
He was also charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, three counts of possession of child pornography, and three counts of grooming.
Authorities said Davidson was serving as theater manager and manager of audio/visual services for the high school when he engaged in an illegal sexual relationship with two female students under the age of 18.
School officials received a complaint from a parent regarding the relationship and reported it to police, authorities said. Davidson resigned from the district when told about the complaint and the lengthy investigation.
He remains free after posting 10 percent of his $50,000 bail, but is due back in court Sept. 10.