Ex-Stevenson scholar bowl coach sentenced to 35 years for sexual assault, child pornography
A former Glenview teacher who once coached the Stevenson High School Scholastic Bowl team was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty in Skokie to sexual assault and child pornography, a Cook County state's attorney spokeswoman confirmed.
Mathew Laird, 33, of the 3900 block of Triumvera Drive, pleaded guilty last week to aggravated criminal sexual assault in exchange for a 25-year sentence. He also pleaded guilty to criminal sexual assault and child pornography for a total of 10 more years. Laird must complete at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Authorities say one of the sexual assaults involved a girl.
Court records show he received credit for 176 days in custody.
Laird was arrested in October after an investigation by Glenview police and the Cook County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force during which, authorities said, he uploaded child pornography onto a website. After a search of Laird's house, investigators seized electronic devices they said contained hundreds of images of current and former high school students, some of which were pornographic.
Laird was a teacher at North Shore Academy until he was fired on Oct. 10, Northern Suburban Special Education District Superintendent Kurt A. Schneider wrote in a letter to parents last fall.
Laird served as a co-sponsor of the Stevenson High School Scholastic Bowl team during the 2016-17 school year and also officiated at one Scholastic Bowl competition last school year, according to a letter Stevenson High School sent to parents after his arrest.