Crime & Safety
Ex-Naperville North Coach Charged With Child Porn Possession
Jelani McClain, 23, formerly worked as an assistant boys' basketball coach at Naperville North High School.
NAPERVILLE, IL — A former assistant coach for the boys' basketball team at Naperville North High School has been accused of possessing child pornography.
Jelani McClain, 23, of the 4700 block of Lake Trails Drive in Lisle, was charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography after a search of his home Wednesday. Police say they found "several images and videos of child pornography" on McClain's electronics devices during the search, which was prompted by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“As I have said many times in the past, child pornography is not a victimless crime. Each one of these disgusting images represents yet another victim of child pornography," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.
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Berlin added, "The charges filed against Mr. McClain today sends the message that my office will aggressively pursue child pornographers. I would like to note that these charges are in no way connected with Mr. McClain’s association with Naperville North High School. Authorities at the school have been very cooperative throughout this entire case and for that I thank them."
In a statement Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges said the district is "cooperating fully" with the ongoing investigation.
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"The safety and security of students, staff, and our community is of the utmost importance," Bridges said. "We are grateful for our partnership with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Naperville Police Department."
Police are asking anyone who has information about McClain or who has had contact with him to call Naperville Police Department Detective Theresa Stock at 630-305-5968.
McClain is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $150,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 10.
Citing the ongoing investigation, a spokesperson for District 203 told Patch they were unable to provide additional details Thursday afternoon.
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