IL: School janitor charged with sexual abuse

Part-timer in North Greene accused of fondling a girl younger than 13.
December 30, 2008 - 4:28 PM
http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/powell_20833___article.html/greene_district.html

BY MAGGIE BORMAN
Journal-Courier

The North Greene School District will not be using Kevin Lee Powell as a substitute janitor until a charge alleging aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a female under the age of 13 is resolved.

Mr. Powell, 19, of White Hall, was arrested by the Carrollton Police Department earlier this month on a Greene County warrant alleging aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. The information alleges that Mr. Powell, between August 16 and Dec. 4, fondled the breasts of a female under the age of 13.

Mr. Powell was taken to the Greene County Jail on bond of $10,000. Powell posted $1,000 bail and was released.

North Greene School District Superintendent Les Stevens said Monday that the district will not be using Mr. Powell as a substitute janitor at any of the district’s three school facilities, the North Greene High School and elementary school in White Hall, and the middle school in Roodhouse, until the case is resolved.

Mr. Stevens said that, because district office staff is on Christmas break and records weren’t immediately accessible, he was unable to say how long Mr. Powell had been employed as a substitute janitor.

“The aggravated criminal sexual abuse we investigated did not take place on school property, but did take place within our jurisdiction,” said White Hall Police Chief Rob McMillen, whose department handled the investigation. “However, in the course of our investigation, we discovered Mr. Powell had had inappropriate verbal contact with the victim at Roodhouse Middle School.”

Mr. Powell’s initial appearance is set for Monday in Greene County Court.