Ex-Teacher Sentenced To 4 Years For Sexual Assault

LEMONT, IL — A former Joliet Central High School physics teacher has been sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for sexually assaulting a female student, according to a release from DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Thomas Connelly, 34, of Chicago, entered an agreed plea of guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault - victim 13-17 and defendant held position of trust or authority, which is a class 1 felony.

Connelly, who formerly lived in Lemont, was charged with criminal sexual assault in May 2019.

According to the State's Attorney's Office, Connelly’s sentence is the result of allegations that he, according to the indictment, “held, as a former teacher, a position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to” the victim and engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with the victim.

The inappropriate sexual behavior came to light after school staff overheard students talking about a student having a sexual relationship with a teacher, the state's attorney's office said. An investigation led by the Lemont Police Department revealed that Connelly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with his victim in May 2017 at a Naperville hotel.

"By pleading guilty, Mr. Connelly admitted that he used his position of trust and authority to engage in sexual activity with a female student,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a release. “The four-year sentence he received for such behavior is certainly well-deserved, but in addition, the requirement that he must register as a sex offender for life upon his release from prison will ensure that he will never again be able to take advantage of young, innocent students again. I would like to thank the Lemont Police Department for their work on this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Kathleen Rowe for her efforts in holding Mr. Connelly responsible for his behavior.”

Connelly will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole, the attorney's office said.