‘Consent’ Defense Hinted In Timberline Knolls Sex Assault Cases

LEMONT, IL — Attorneys for a Christian counselor accused of sexually assaulting six women at a faith-based residential treatment facility said they are still waiting for prosecutors to produce evidence of the alleged victims’ claims of use of force and lack of consent.

Michael Jacksa, 40, who is facing multiple felony counts of criminal sexual assault and abuse, appeared Thursday before Cook County Judge Stephen Connolly for a status hearing in Bridgeview.

Jacksa had been employed as a counselor at Timberline Knolls, a residential treatment facility in Lemont for women with eating disorders, substance abuse, self injury and recovery from sexual abuse. Between December 2017 and June 2018, six women claim that Jacksa had engaged in “inappropriate sexual behavior” during therapy sessions at the facility.

Jacksa’s attorneys are asking the state to produce the accusers’ admissions agreements and/or contracts with Timberline, as well as all clinical, medical and mental health reports, including “clinical interviews, progress notes, group notes, family sessions, treatment plans, weekly treatment updates, psychological evaluations, nursing assessments, nutritional assessments, sign up sheets and requests for any particular counselor and records.”

Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Papa told the judge she’s been going through the defense’s requests and is trying to get in touch with the mostly out-of-state victims and/or their attorneys to gather the dates and times when the alleged abuse occurred.

“Not only dates, but evidence of the victims’ inability to give consent and use of force,” Jacksa’s attorney Colleen McSweeney Moore responded. “These are highly educated, professional women and there has been no evidence of use of force or lack of consent.”

Jacksa reportedly started working for Timberline Knolls as a licensed counselor in November 2017, where he quickly gained a reputation as a “good-looking Christian dude.” He was charged in August with sexually assaulting a 29-year-old woman during a therapy session. His $100,000 bond was revoked a few days later when more women came forward with accusations of Jacksa fondling their breasts, digital penetration, putting his hands beneath their clothing, and forcing them into oral sex while undergoing treatment at the facility.

Since the allegations, Timberline Knolls said it has taken measures to ensure the safety of residents.

Many of the alleged assaults by Jacksa occurred in a closet where residents’ luggage was stored. Former patients maintain that it was common practice for counselors to utilize closets at the campus’ various residential lodges when regular therapy rooms weren’t available.

“Timberline freaking handed us over to him,” one of Jacksa’s accusers told Patch.

Stewart Ryan, a former prosecutor in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and a member of the legal team that successfully won a guilty verdict for comedian Bill Cosby on sex assault charges, has been retained by one of Jacksa’s alleged victims for a possible civil lawsuit. He called the defense’s characterization of the women “outdated and outrageous” thinking.

“I don’t think it’s unusual for a criminal defense attorney to take that position,” Ryan said. “The reality is that sexual assault touches every walk of life. You have someone abusing their position of power and authority. To suggest that the victims in this case should have known better is offensive. I think the people in Cook County know that’s not the situation.”

Jacksa’s state license as a clinical professional counselor was suspended last September by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation. Earlier this month, Jacksa’s wife filed for divorce on the grounds that her husband was “presently incarcerated and unemployed,” according to Will County court records. Jacksa is due back in court on April 26.