advertisement

Attorney in Gavin teacher sex assault case wants more time to review plea deal

The attorney for a former Gavin Elementary District 37 teacher accused of molesting two former students before fleeing the country has asked for more time to review a plea deal offered in the case.

However, defense attorney Elliot Pinsel and Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day refused to discuss the proposal offered to Michael Vucic, 41, of the 100 block of East Laurel Avenue in Lake Forest.

In the interim, Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes on Friday granted a defense request to allow an expert to conduct a mental health and sex offender screening on Vucic at the Lake County jail, where he is held without bond.

The trial is tentatively scheduled for June 22, but Pinsel indicated in court that date would most likely be pushed back due to the mental health screening.

Vucic pleaded not guilty to more than 50 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated child pornography, criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 17 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

If found guilty of the most serious charges, he could be sent to prison for more than 120 years, authorities said.

Authorities said Vucic had sex with two former students between 2007 and 2012, one of whom was videotaped while being assaulted in a Gavin South Middle School classroom, where Vucic worked.

Authorities said they learned of the attacks when a victim, who is no longer a student at the school, told her grandparents and they called police. She told police Vucic he began engaging in sex acts with her in 2012. He had been her social studies teacher and yearbook adviser, authorities said.

Vucic would ask the student come to his classroom after school, where they would engage in sex acts, authorities said. Sex acts also took place when Vucic and the student would Skype to each other over the Internet, authorities said.

During the investigation, a teacher came forward with a plastic bag containing more than 20 thumb drives and videotapes of Vucic engaging in sex acts with the victim, authorities said. Authorities said Vucic left instructions for friends to destroy the contents should he die or be arrested.

The videos were reviewed by police, who found evidence of Vucic engaging in sex acts with the victim and with another student in 2007, authorities said.

Police contacted the 2007 victim, who admitted to police she had sexual contact with Vucic when she was 14, authorities said.

Before charges were filed, Vucic fled the country and set off an international manhunt. He was arrested in Bosnia-Herzegovina in September 2014, three weeks after the charges were filed.

Vucic is due back in court June 4.

Warrant issued for Gavin South teacher charged with sex crimes

International manhunt for Lake Co. teacher ends in Sarajevo

Former Gavin teacher facing sex abuse charges waives extradition to return to Lake County

Former teacher faces charges he molested second girl, videotaped both

Prosecutors want to revoke bond for former teacher

Bail revoked for former Gavin teacher in sexual assault case

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.