A Crystal Lake Central High School faculty member has been arrested and charged with grooming after police said he tried arranging to have a juvenile perform a sex act.
Matthew R. Fralick, 48, of the 1300 block of Cunat Court in Lake in the Hills, was charged with one count of grooming, a Class 4 felony.
The McHenry Police Department said that in April, Fralick used an online service to try and have a juvenile under the age of 17 perform a sex act.
“Throughout the course of the investigation, Detectives interviewed the victim, corroborating witnesses and collected evidence,” McHenry Police Chief John Birk said.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the felony charge on Friday and a warrant was issued. Fralick turn himself in at the McHenry Police Department, where he was processed and released after posting bail.
Fralick, who works as a PE and drivers ed teacher at Crystal Lake Central High School, has been put on administrative leave, Community School District 155 said, adding that the incident occurred outside of school.
“We have no reason to suspect that any student or staff member in the district has been in any danger at any time. We continue to cooperate fully with the McHenry Police Department,” school officials said.
Fralick is scheduled to appear in court on February 15. The investigation continues and no additional information is being released yet by police, Birk said.