Richmond-Burton High School teacher Ryan C. Carlson, who has since resigned from his position, was arrested in October 2022 and charged in two separate incidents involving inappropriate conduct at the school, for which he has now been found not guilty. | Photo: RBCHS

A former Richmond-Burton High School teacher accused of inappropriately touching two female students on separate occasions has been found not guilty in both incidents.

Ryan C. Carlson, 47, of Hebron, was charged in October 2022 with battery, a Class A misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said the incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on January 14, 2022.

Carlson, who was 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.

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A bench trial was held in the case in late August and McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt found Carlson not guilty of the two charges.

Carlson was also charged in a second case with one count of battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

The second incident involved Carlson allegedly touching a different female student around 2:20 p.m. on September 21, 2022.

A criminal complaint said Carlson approached the girl from behind during class and touched her buttocks with his hand.

A bench trial, also presided by Gerhardt, was held Monday.

The trial lasted one day and led to the judge finding Carlson not guilty of the charge.

Richmond-Burton High School Superintendent Dr. Tom Lind sent a letter to parents after the charges were filed last October.

Lind said Carlson was “immediately removed” from the classroom upon school administration first learning of the allegations.

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The Department of Children and Family Services and the Richmond Police Department were notified to begin an investigation, Lind said.

The Richmond Police Department responded to the school around 9 a.m. on September 23, 2022, and began investigating.

While investigating the September 21, 2022, incident, police learned about the earlier January 14, 2022, incident.

Carlson later resigned from his positions at the school following the criminal cases.