Van Sex for High School Bowling Coach a Quick Call for Jury

NEW LENOX, IL — A former Lincoln-Way Central High School volunteer bowling coach was convicted Monday of having sex with a 15-year-old member of the team, which the victim says took place in the back of a van.

Edward Cetwinski, 46, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault.

Cetwinski was arrested in September 2010. The New Lenox resident has been free on $300,000 bond since the day after his arrest, according to court records.

The victim, now 21, testified during the three-day trial that the two had exchanged ”sext” messages, and that she had professed her love for him, reports the Daily Southtown. She couldn’t recall the exact date of their sexual encounter, but testified that it took place “in the back of a van while parked at a school bus barn,” according to the report. Prosecutors said the incident took place between between Christmas 2009 and March 1, 2010.

The teen came forward about the encounter after Cetwinski’s daughter reportedly told the principal that the other girl had been sharing the story with other students.

Cetwinski’s attorney called the victim a “liar” and shamed the jury for taking so little time to deliberate.

“We’re extremely disappointed,” Wigell said, as reported by the Southtown. “The rush to judgment to decide a man’s life ... after a three-day trial. They didn’t do their job.”

Cetwinski was seen hugging his mother, father, girlfriend and daughter before being led away in handcuffs. Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak ordered him to be held in custody until his next court date, set for Jan. 25. He faces a prison term of four to 15 years for the aggravated criminal sexual assault conviction and three to seven for the aggravated criminal sexual abuse.