Mom: Community behind accused Barrington High student

A Barrington High School student accused of sexually assaulting one female classmate and having consensual sex with another who is underage is receiving "overwhelming" support from many in the high school community, his mother said Thursday hours before her son was released from jail.

"They're all disheartened by what's happening because my son is not guilty," Sylvia Johnston said as she left a McHenry County courtroom where a judge ordered her son's bond reduced from $150,000 to $10,000.

Her son, Bruce Arthur Johnston, 18, of Tower Lakes, went free about 1:30 p.m. after posting $1,000, officials at the McHenry County jail said.

His release followed a court appearance at which Johnston formally pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of criminal sexual assault and misdemeanor count of criminal sexual abuse stemming from separate incidents last month at a Barrington Hills home.

The charges allege Johnston, a Barrington High senior and varsity track athlete, forced a 17-year-old girl into sex and then a day later had sex with a girl who, at 14 years old, was too young to give legal consent.

Authorities initially charged Johnston with two counts of criminal sexual assault, but a grand jury lowered one to misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse.

His mother said Thursday that despite the allegations, and her son's incarceration since late April, he will receive his diploma on schedule.

"Expulsion is out of the question," she said. "He is graduating in the class of 2009, with pride."

Jeff Arnett, spokesman for Barrington Unit District 220, said he could not confirm whether Johnston has enough credits to graduate, but said the district will afford him the opportunity to earn his diploma. Attending graduation ceremonies, he said, is another matter.

"I don't think it would be in his best interests, or the interests of the commencement proceedings, if he were to attend," Arnett said.

Although Johnston never was formally suspended, the district is maintaining its position that he will not be welcome back on campus.

Speaking shortly before jail officials confirmed Johnston's release, Arnett said the district would begin disciplinary proceedings once the student gets out of jail. While those proceedings are pending, Johnston will be barred from school as well as extracurricular and off-campus activities like as prom, athletic events and graduation.

"As long his due process is taking course, he would not be allowed back on campus," Arnett said. "Those proceedings could lead to a suspension and may or many not lead to expulsion."

As part of his decision to lower Johnston's bond, McHenry County Judge Joseph Condon ordered him not to have any contact with either of the teenage girls named in his indictment.

Johnston's release also was made possible by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's decision to lift a hold previously imposed because the teen, though in the country legally since he was 6 years old, is not a U.S. citizen. His immigration status could become a concern again, however, if Johnston is convicted.

"He runs the risk of being deported if convicted of a deportable offense like a forcible felony, and these charges more than likely fall under that definition," defense attorney Robert Hanaford said.

Johnston, who Thursday asked for a jury trial to decide his case, is scheduled to return to court July 8. If found guilty of the felony charge, he faces a minimum four and maximum 15 years in prison. The misdemeanor is punishable by a maximum year in jail.

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