ETHS Staffer Had Sexual Relationship With Student: Prosecutor

SKOKIE, IL — A former Evanston Township High School security guard accused of having a sexual relationship with a student was ordered held with no bail Wednesday.

Michael Haywood, 33, of Evanston, turned himself in to police on Tuesday to face one count of criminal sexual assault by a person in a position of authority.

According to prosecutors, Haywood began a romantic relationship last September with a girl who had just turned 17 shortly after he started working in the ETHS security department. He gave her his phone number and they met outside of school on multiple occasions.

Over time, the two engaged in hugging and kissing, with Haywood exposing himself to the girl, according to Assistant State's Attorney Andreana Turano.

On Nov. 23, Haywood and the student engaged in oral sex inside a car parked near her home about a block north of ETHS campus, the prosecutor said. At another location and a different time, Haywood attempted to have intercourse with the student but it was not completed, Turano told the judge.

Turano said the girl disclosed the relationship to others and authorities obtained copies of electronic communication between the student and security staffer.

Under the applicable Illinois law, a 17-year-old cannot legally consent to sexual activities with anyone who holds a "position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to the victim." Prosecutors claim Haywood knew the victim was underage and had a supervisory role in relation to her.

ETHS Communications Director Takumi Iseda has declined to say when Haywood was hired or answer questions about his role at the school, although her office confirmed he was terminated Jan. 14. A spokesperson then copied a Jan. 9 statement from Superintendent Eric Witherspoon saying the school immediately notified police when it became aware of the allegations.

Defense attorney Nenye Uche said Haywood, who has no previous arrests or convictions, turned himself in voluntarily and would not be a flight risk.

"He was fired from the school," Uche said. "He hasn't come back."

Uche said Haywood has not made any efforts to contact the girl. He said Haywood was a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. His parents and a sibling in college attended the hearing, and Uche said they indicated they would be able to post a small cash bond.

A risk assessment from the pretrial services division gave Haywood the lowest possible rating for likelihood to commit crimes or flee if allowed out on bond. But due to the nature of the charge, it recommended that he be detained without bail.

"That's just what the numbers say," a pretrial services staffer told Circuit Judge Aleksandra Gillespie.

Gillespie questioned the recommendation but accepted it, ordering Haywood to remain at Cook County Jail but volunteering to reconsider her decision in a week. Haywood is due back in court Feb. 20 for a bond review hearing.

Earlier:

• ETHS Security Guard Charged With Sexual Assault: Evanston Police
• High School Employee Accused Of 'Inappropriate Contact With Students'