Ex-Teacher Pleads Guilty To Lewd Conduct With Students

LAKE BLUFF, IL — A former Lake Bluff Junior High teacher pleaded guilty to one count of public indecency in Lake County Circuit Court Wednesday in exchange for a sentence of two years probation. Former students began accusing Charles Ritz of abuse in the 1980's, saying he offered beer and pornography, made sexual advances and performed lewd acts in front of them. While Lake Bluff District 65 school officials opened an investigation and considered terminating Ritz at the time, the allegations were never shared and he went on to teach for another three decades in southern California.

A criminal investigation was eventually opened in 2016 when multiple former students of Ritz, some of whom had met each other online, came forward to report the abuse to the Lake Bluff Police Department. That investigation resulted in prosecutors charging Ritz with misdemeanor public indecency/lewd conduct in May. Ritz initially plead not guilty, with his lawyer at the time calling it a "witch hunt" and suggesting he expected to be exonerated.

Under the terms of Ritz's probation he is forbidden from having unsupervised conduct with minors, any business that sells alcohol, any contact with any witness or victim in the case or any use of drugs or alcohol. He was ordered to pay $2,500 to the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center and $500 to Lake County Crime Stoppers, according to a spokesperson for the Lake County State's Attorney.

The Lake Bluff school board issued a statement saying it "remains deeply saddened by the painful events described by former students of Charles Ritz, who taught at Lake Bluff Junior High School between 1975 and 1985," and noting it fully cooperated with police in the investigation. "We appreciate the diligence and efforts of law enforcement to conclude this matter and hold Ritz accountable for his actions." (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Lake Bluff — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Ritz, according to his attorney, is "happy this case was concluded" and "looks forward to enjoying his retirement," WLS reported.

Meanwhile, Jim Moss, a former student of Ritz who came forward publicly and has organized efforts to improve school district protocols involving handling allegations from students and hiring teachers, said he was grateful and satisfied with the disposition of the case, the Lake Forester reported.

"Thirteen and 14-year-olds came forward to adults in power, and those adults in power dropped the ball and allowed this teacher to resign and go to California," Moss told the paper. "We've got to find a way to change the system."

Related:

• Former Lake Bluff Teacher Investigated For Sexual Abuse of Students
• Ex-Lake Bluff Teacher Turns Himself In On Lewd Exposure Charge
  
• Former Teacher Charged With Sex Crime Released On Bail
• Ex-Lake Bluff Teacher Charged In 1985 Sex Crime

_{Top photo: Charles Ritz booking photograph | Lake County Sheriff}