CHICAGO – Testimony in the trial of a former Chicago Public Schools administrator charged with sexually abusing one his students began Tuesday with jurors hearing directly from the now-former student, who testified that their relationship that began with exchanging Snapchat messages turned sexual when she was just 15.
Prosecutors argue that Brian Crowder used his position of authority as dean of discipline at the social justice school at Little Village Lawndale High School to exploit the student.
His defense team countered that they do not dispute the two had sex, but it is up to the prosecution to prove that they had sex while she was underage. They also accused her of trying to extort money from Crowder.
NBC 5 Investigates is not identifying the woman, but she spoke to us at length during an interview in April as part of our reporting for our series “Lessons in Betrayal,” which uncovered allegations of grooming and teacher misconduct at Little Village Lawndale High School dating back several years.
Our investigation found that Crowder, 43, is one of seven teachers who have resigned or been fired from Little Village Lawndale High School since 2017 amid allegations of misconduct. He is the only one facing criminal charges.
Prosecutors allege their relationship occurred between 2013 and 2016 while she was still attending Little Village Lawndale High School. Court records and her interview with NBC 5 Investigates detail it extended until at least 2018 when she broke things off.
“And it started like sophomore (year) in school. But like we didn’t really get to like that level until like I guess like the summer when he sent that Snap like ‘I want you’ or whatever,” the former student told NBC 5 Investigates during an April interview.
During Tuesday’s testimony, she mentioned several things that she discussed during our interview including that she and Brian Crowder began communicating over Snapchat while she was a student and he was her dean.
“Obviously, we had a sexual relationship. at one point I got pregnant the first time,” she said.
The former student said when she learned she was pregnant the first time during the school year, she told Crowder she intended to keep it and give birth.
“And when I said that, he just kind of like went crazy and it was all bad after that. And he’s like, ‘you can’t do this to me, and we can’t have this baby.’ And you know, and so eventually he convinced me to have the abortion. And after that, it just was all bad,” she said.
Crowder, who shielded his face from our camera coming in and out of court Monday, faces several charges, including two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
Prosecutors allege Crowder posed as the girl’s stepfather twice so she could get two abortions while still in high school. A third abortion came after she left the school, according to court records.
Those records state that in 2021, Crowder begged her “not to go through with her case and that he will do anything.”
The student told him to give her money.
Crowder’s defense team used that to challenge the student’s credibility in front of jurors and said she tried to extort him.
That student also testified that Crowder would pick her up two blocks away from the school in an effort to shield their relationship.
Crowder has previously pleaded not guilty. His trial resumes Wednesday.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Trial underway for former CPS dean charged with sex abuse of student )
Also on site :