Island Lake middle school teacher charged with possessing, disseminating child sex abuse materials
A teacher and coach at Matthews Middle School in Island Lake is charged with possessing and disseminating child sexual abuse material, police said.
John M. Anderlik, 27, of Crystal Lake was arrested Thursday after investigators using a search warrant found materials that led to the charges, according to Crystal Lake police.
Anderlik is charged with two counts of disseminating or offering to disseminate “visual reproductions” on a computer of someone under 18, a Class X felony, and two counts of possessing reproductions on his computer of someone under 18, a Class 2 felony, police said.
He remained in custody Thursday pending an initial court appearance scheduled for Friday afternoon in McHenry County.
Police said Anderlik came to their attention through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, of which Crystal Lake is a member, prompting an investigation.
Anderlik is a sixth-grade teacher and girls’ basketball coach at Matthews Middle School, according to Wauconda Community Unit District 118. He teaches literature and language arts, according to the district’s website.
In a message to District 118 families Thursday, interim co-superintendents Todd Leden and Brian Wegley said Anderlik has been placed on administrative leave and is barred from entering district property or contacting students.
“We know news like this causes deep concern, hurt, and distress,” they wrote. “We are committed to caring for our school community as we process this together.”
Crisis teams, social workers and counselors are in place at all six District 118 schools.
“We will continue to assist law enforcement in every way possible while surrounding our students, staff, and families with the care they need,” the co-superintendents wrote.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Anderlik has worked at the school for just over five years. He also directed operations as head volleyball coach for the seventh grade program and, for several months in 2025, served as assistant varsity coach, according to the profile.
Anyone with information relating to the situation is asked to contact Crystal Lake police at (815) 356-3620 or send an anonymous tip to the department by texting “CLPDTIP” with the information to 847411 (tip411).
mzawislak@dailyherald.com