Ex-HPHS Substitute Found Guilty of Having Child Porn

A former Highland Park High School substitute teacher was found guilty of possession of child pornography Thursday in Lake County Court.

A verdict delivered by Judge Daniel Shanes means that former teacher Steven Habay, 41 could get either probation or up to seven years in prison - according to the Chicago Tribube. Other charges facing Habay, including cyber stalking and electronic harassment, were dropped.

The investigation into Habay began after he allegedly posted “disparaging rants” online about being dismissed as a substitute teacher at HPHS. Upon an investigation, authorities allegedly found child pornography on Habay’s computer. None of the images - some depicting children with their genitals exposed - were HPHS students.

“Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney George Pappas said authorities decided to focus on the more serious child pornography charge and to dismiss the cyberstalking and harassment charges, thus avoiding the need to put the alleged victims of the latter charges through a trial,” according to the Tribune.

Habay will await sentencing in custody, where he has been since May, when he allegedly failed an alcohol test while on home confinement in Highland Park.

more via the Chicago Tribune