Man Charged With Child Sexual Abuse Advertised Private Tutoring Online: Orland Park Police

ORLAND PARK, IL — A man with a history of child molestation allegations is now facing new charges in Orland Park after police say he abused a juvenile after advertising private tutoring services on social media.

Police say Brett Smith, 43, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after turning himself in at the Orland Park Police Department.

Police said their investigation began after parents hired a tutor who identified himself as "BJ S. McAuliffe" to provide tutoring services for their child. They became concerned when a requested bank payment for the tutor appeared as Brett Smith, also known as Brett Zagorac— prompting the parents to do an online search for Brett Smith, police said.

Police said the parents found publicly available news articles and videos from other states referencing prior allegations involving children. The parents contacted Orland Park police, prompting a criminal investigation.

Detectives determined that Brett Zagorac legally changed his name to Brett Smith and used multiple aliases, including BJ S., BJ Smith and BJ S. McAuliffe, to advertise tutoring services. During an "extensive investigation," police say detectives found probable cause that Smith had engaged in sexual contact with a juvenile.

Detectives worked with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Persons Unit, and Smith was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a class 1 felony. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

"If you believe you, your child, or a child under your care may have been a victim of this individual, please contact the law enforcement agency where the incident occurred," Orland police said, asking Orland residents to send tips or information to 708-349-4111.

The Orland Park allegations are just the latest faced by Smith, who has faced child molestation accusations in Illinois, Indiana and Arizona, according to Block Club Chicago.

He faced a felony charge of sexual abuse against a child in Hammond, Indiana, in 2003, but the charge was dismissed in 2007 after the boy became physically ill due to his fear of testifying, Block Club reported. In 2010, he was accused of inappropriately touching another young child in Indiana and was convicted of misdemeanor battery.

In 2017, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor stemming from a suburban family's allegations that he molested their young son while tutoring him.

Last week, Smith was also fired from a substitute teaching role at Queen of Martyrs School in Evergreen Park after archdiocese officials said they learned of prior allegations against him.

In an email to Patch, the archdiocese said they learned earlier this month about "a substitute teacher who had passed recent state background and fingerprint checks but had a history of issues in other states." The archdiocese added, "As a result, he was immediately placed on leave and terminated. We have met with school parents and will continue to share information as it becomes available."

In a letter to “Catholic School Families” dated Jan. 25, Catholic school officials said Smith has worked in at least four South Side and south suburban Catholic schools going back more than a year. At neighboring St. Walter-St. Benedict in Blue Island, Smith was a long-term substitute during the 2024-2025 school year. He was also a third-party vendor assigned to Pope John Paul II School and tutored for at least one family whose child attended a south suburban Catholic school, and possibly more families, the archdiocese said.

The archdiocese said it was not aware of any allegations of sexual misconduct during Smith's time at the local schools. But, the letter went on, "We have learned, however, that one family in the south suburbs filed a complaint against [the substitute] with their local police for conduct that occurred while he was tutoring in their home."

With reporting from Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff