Former Orland District 135 Teacher Charged with Sex with Student

A former gym teacher from Orland District 135 was arrested Tuesday, accused of engaging in sex with a former student, and charged with sex abuse.

Jeffrey Morowczynski, 28, of Orland Park, faces two felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Bail was set at $250,000 Wednesday at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Morowczynski had reportedly been the 14-year-old girl’s basketball coach and substitute teacher. Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Kocim said Orland Park police were alerted in August 2014 after hearing a 911 recording of two people having sex in a vehicle. Police found Morowczynski with the 14-year-old girl, Kocim said in court Wednesday.

The Tribune cites that Morowczynski was brought on as a physical education teacher at High Point School in June 2014, and resigned three months later. Police said they opened an investigation in August, but did not have sufficient cause to arrest.

Morowczynski is the second former District 135 to be charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse in as many weeks. Cara Labus, 30, was charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection with incidents that occurred between 2008 and 2011 at Jerling High School in Orland Park. The girls Labus allegedly abused were between the ages of 14 and 16 when the crimes took place, according to a statement released by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Morowczynski’s will next appear at Bridgeview Courthouse on Feb. 26.

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