Ex-Lake Zurich teacher denies molesting students; higher bond stands

A former Lake Zurich High School teacher accused of molesting two students pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Ronald Culver, 51, was also forced to post another $24,000 for bond in the case, despite his attorney's protests that Culver has been “1,000 percent cooperative” with the investigation into his activities.

Culver, who taught English and drama at the school before his resignation Oct. 29, was originally charged Nov. 1 with molesting one student.

Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said a second student came forward with an accusation against Culver after reading news reports of his arrest.

Authorities are refusing to release the age and gender of the victims, as is normally the practice in child molestation cases, and instead refer to them only as “J. Doe” in court documents.

Day said the improper conduct between Culver and the students is believed to have occurred between late August and October of this year.

Culver originally posted $1,000 in cash against a $10,000 bond when he was arrested, but an indictment issued last week that added the allegations of the second victim called for the bond to be increased to $250,000.

Waukegan defense attorney Steven Simonian protested the move, saying he and his client had met with Lake Zurich police “six to eight times,” to discuss the allegations of the first victim.

“They are talking about increasing his bond 25 times based solely on the latest allegations,” Simonian said. “That makes no sense for a 51-year-old man with no prior criminal history who has been 1,000 percent cooperative with police.”

Day said the increase in the bond should stand because of the seriousness of the allegations and the addition of the second victim in the case.

Shanes said the bond would remain at $250,000, but offered Simonian an opportunity to challenge it again at a formal hearing later this week.

Simonian declined, saying his client “would post whatever amount he needed” to gain his release from jail.

Shanes did approve Simonian's request to allow Culver to travel to Missouri and New York while the case is pending, as long as the travel arrangements are certified in advance by a probation officer.

Culver, of the 900 block of Blackburn Drive in Inverness, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of any of the 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against him.

Shanes ordered Culver to appear in court Jan. 4.