Second Woman Accuses Timberline Knolls Counselor Of Sex Assault

LEMONT, IL -- A licensed counselor who allegedly sexually assaulted a patient during private therapy sessions at Lemont treatment facility was back before a judge on Wednesday accused by a second patient from the same facility. Michael Jacksa, 40, of Joliet, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on six felony counts of criminal sexual assault and four counts of criminal sexual abuse. According to the prosecutor, at least six other former patients of Jacksa’s from across the country have contacted the Lemont Police Department, stating that Jacksa allegedly engaged in “inappropriate sexual behavior” during their respective therapy sessions.

Jacksa appeared in court wearing street clothes, free on ten-percent of a $1 million bail set on Aug. 21. The prosecutor said that Jacksa was a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPS) at Timberline Knolls, a residential treatment facility for women suffering from eating disorders, substance abuse and other mental health conditions. He’s been accused by patients of digitally penetrating their vaginas and buttocks, putting his hands beneath their clothing, fondling their breasts and forcing them to give him oral sex. During his first bond hearing on Aug. 21, the prosecutor said that Jacksa admitted to police that he “probably went too far.”

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According to the new charges, between Dec. 1, 2017 and Jan. 10, 2018, Jacksa was treating an out-of-state woman for eating disorders, anxiety and past sexual abuse. The patient alleges that Jacksa sexually assaulted her during four therapy sessions at the facility. The prosecutor said the second woman came forward after seeing media reports.

Jacksa’s attorney told the judge that he felt the bail set earlier this month was appropriate.

“My client is innocent of these charges,” the attorney said. “I don’t understand why the [assistant state’s attorney] is doing these cases piecemeal.”

“Then you’re not going to like what I do because I’m denying bond,” Felice said. “He needs to be detained.”

The attorney asked that the $100,000 bond Jacksa put up earlier this month be refunded and turned over the attorney to be used for legal fees. The attorney asked for more time to explain to Jacksa how the first bond was being vacated.

Jacksa, of the 3800 block of Cherry Tree Court in Joliet, is married with two children. His license as a professional counselor still appears as active on the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation website. No disciplinary actions are listed. Jacksa is due back in court Sept. 18 in Bridgeview.