Teen testifies ex-wrestling coach sexually abused him

Robert Steck used his position of authority at Cowherd Middle School in Aurora as teacher and wrestling coach to gain the trust of two boys who he sexually abused, prosecutors argued Tuesday at his trial.

Steck's defense attorney argued that one of the victims made up his story in the summer of 2006 to get leniency on other criminal charges he was facing and to ultimately avoid prison.

Steck, 41, of the 900 block of Shady Lane, Aurora, faces 10 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and four misdemeanors dating back to October 2006. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.

The victim, 18, who was 14 when the abuse is alleged to have occurred, testified in Kane County Court that he joined the wrestling team in fall 2005 and Steck, who was an assistant coach, took the youth under his wing.

The victim said Steck would show him wrestling moves at Steck's home while they were both naked and fondled him on several occasions at the home and once in Steck's classroom over a period of at least two months.

The first instance, the teen said, occurred after they relaxed in an outdoor Jacuzzi at Steck's home.

“I stood there for a second in disbelief that this actually happened,” the teen said.

The teen later testified that he met with his parents and aunt in summer 2006 because he had been acting strange. “They felt something was going on between me and Mr. Steck because of how I was acting because I wouldn't come out of my room or my house,” he said.

Defense attorney Kathleen Colton noted that the victim was on probation for a juvenile sex crime, and also was charged as an adult for felony burglary and misdemeanor assault on two separate occasions in 2010. She questioned why the teen took months to go to the authorities and didn't mention some instances of abuse until the actual trial.

Steck's trial was to begin last December, but he fired his attorney at the last minute. He is charged with abusing two other boys, who were 11 at the time, but only one is expected to testify.

Steck is expected to take the stand Wednesday, and the trial could wrap up later in the day or Thursday.