No jail for Niles North teacher in strip poker game with cheerleaders
A former math teacher at Niles North High School in Skokie must register as a sex offender after he admitted in court Thursday to playing strip poker with a two cheerleaders.
Jeffrey Tackes, 30, of Bensenville, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual exploitation of a child. DuPage County Judge Brian Diamond sentenced him to two years of probation and 250 hours of community service. The conviction also requires Tackes to register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors said Tackes, a former cheerleading coach, exposed himself to the 16- and 17-year-old victims at a team party at his home on the 400 block of South Addison Street in December 2010.
The victims were the last two at the party when Tackes persuaded them to play strip poker, Assistant State's Attorney David Friedland said in court.
“At some point during the game, the defendant removed his clothes and was fully naked,” Friedland said.
Afterward, Tackes sent the victims text messages that were “inappropriate and sexual in nature,” according to court records. Three other girls also came forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior following his arrest, prosecutors said.
Defense attorney Robert Novelle said Tackes resigned from his teaching and coaching job, and quit working at a Bensenville gymnastics school where he was part owner, as soon as he was charged. Tackes now works as a statistician for a minor league baseball team, Novelle said.
Tackes could have faced up to a year in jail if convicted at trial. Prosecutors said the victims, who have been in counseling, and their families were “in agreement” with his plea bargain.
Tackes had no prior criminal history. He was charged more than a year after the strip poker game, after one of the victims came forward.