A registered sex offender was arrested after prosecutors say he was caught at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire after being contracted to perform work at the school.
Todd A. Foraker, 54, of Marietta, Ohio, was charged with child sex offender in a school zone, a Class 4 felony.
The Lincolnshire Police Department was called on May 24 to Stevenson High School, 1 Stevenson Drive in Lincolnshire, for a report of a sex offender present at the school.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emma Smoler said Foraker entered the school on April 7 and May 24 to perform contract work.
Foraker is a registered sex offender who was convicted in Ohio in 2008 of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, according to the Washington County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office.
Stevenson High School learned that Foraker was a sex offender after conducting a background check, Smoler said during a bond hearing.
After being arrested, Foraker admitted he was at the high school on April 7 doing work, Smoler said.
Foraker admitted that he knew he was not supposed to be in any school, Smoler said.
“To ensure the safety of our students and staff, we maintain strict safety protocols that include background checks on all visitors, including those who are subcontracted by our vendors to do work in our facilities,” Stevenson High School Director of Communications Jaimie Oh told Lake and McHenry County Scanner in a statement.
Oh said the school’s security technology enabled them to “flag this individual and contact local law enforcement immediately.”
Oh claimed that Foraker was denied entry from the school and never conducted any work at the school.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Foraker held on a $150,000 bond.
Foraker was released from the Lake County Jail after posting 10% of his bond.
A status of preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 30.