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School sex abuse cases nearing resolution

Criminal cases involving two former Gavin middle school teachers could be resolved by late September, attorneys said in separate Lake County courtrooms Monday.

A plea deal could be in place by Sept. 25 for Michael Vucic, 41, of Lake Forest, who is accused of sexually assualting two students between 2007 and 2012, attorneys said.

Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day and defense attorney Elliot Pinsel said in court they plan to meet this week and a negotiated plea would be discussed.

Judge Daniel Shanes set a Dec. 14 trial date for Vucic's case, adding it would take "an act of Congress to make me change that."

In addition, Assistant State's Attorney Tara Ori said she is "hammering out language" on a plea deal for former Gavin teacher John Keehan, 40, of Elgin, who is accused of failing to report the sex abuse he suspected involving Vucic and a student.

Defense attorney Doug Zeit and Ori said in court they are close to finalizing the negotiated settlement. Judge Brian Hughes set a final hearing for Sept. 21 to present a negotiated plea deal or to set the case for trial.

Vucic has pleaded not guilty to more than 50 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated child pornography, criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 17 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for, authorties allege, molesting two former students while he worked as a social studies teacher at Gavin South Middle School in Ingleside.

If found guilty of the most serious charges, he could be sent to prison for more than 120 years.

One victim told her grandparents she engaged in sex acts with Vucic after school in his classroom and when Vucic and the student would Skype each other over the Internet, authorities said.

A recording of sexual acts revelaed the second victim, authorities said. Videotapes showing Vucic and the victims engaged in sex acts were given to prosecutors by former teacher April Courtney, 35, of Wauconda, authorities said.

Vucic left instructions for friends to destroy the contents should he die or be arrested, officials said.

The victims are no longer students at Gavin.

Courtney, Keehan and former teacher Michael Lanners, 38, of Lake Villa, were charged by prosecutors with failure to report suspected child abuse involving Vucic.

Courtney pleaded guilty to the charge in July and was sentenced to 30 days in Lake County jail. Lanners is due in court Aug. 20.

Vucic set off an international manhunt after he fled the country days before charges were filed against him. He was arrested in Bosnia-Herzegovina in September 2014, three weeks after the charges were filed.

He remains held in Lake County jail without bail.

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