A Richmond-Burton High School teacher has been arrested after he allegedly opened a female student’s flannel shirt and also grabbed the buttocks of a second student, court records show.
Ryan C. Carlson, 47, of the 11600 block of Vanderkarr Road in Hebron, was charged with two counts of battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said the first incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on January 14.
Carlson, who is a teacher and cross country head coach at Richmond-Burton High School, allegedly approached a student in the hallway of the school.
The complaint said Carlson made comments about the girl’s outfit and then physically opened up the flannel shirt she was wearing.
He pushed the shirt back around the student’s waist, the complaint said.
Richmond Police Department Sgt. Jennifer Fillicaro said the student was wearing something underneath the flannel and there was no nudity.
In a second separate incident, Carlson allegedly approached a different student around 2:20 p.m. on September 21.
Carlson approached the girl from behind during class and touched her buttocks with his hand, the complaint said.
The charges were filed against Carlson on Tuesday, court records show.
Arrest warrants were issued and Carlson turned himself in to the Richmond Police Department on Wednesday.
Richmond-Burton High School Superintendent Dr. Tom Lind sent a letter to parents on Wednesday after the charges had been filed.
Lind said Carlson was “immediately removed” from the classroom upon school administration first learning of the allegations.
The Department of Children and Family Services and the Richmond Police Department was notified to begin an investigation, Lind said.
The Richmond Police Department responded to the school around 9 a.m. on September 23 and began investigating.
While investigating the September 21 incident, police learned about the January 14 incident.
The school said they are continuing to work closely with the police and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“We remain committed to providing a safe environment for all our students and are offering counseling and support services for any student who wishes to utilize those services,” Lind said.
Anyone with additional information related to the two incidents or those who wish to report additional incidents involving Carlson are asked to contact the Richmond Police Department at 815-678-4163.