Soccer Coach Facing Sex Assault Charges Fired, Remains Jailed

WAUKEGAN, IL — A judge refused to reduce bail Tuesday for a former high school soccer coach arrested last week and accused of sexual acts with three Vernon Hills High School students, as investigators follow up with more potential victims. Police said they have been speaking with several former students, in addition to the trio of current students, and may discover evidence of additional crimes against the former part-time assistant coach of the Cougars' boys and girls teams.

Cori Beard, 28, of the 300 block of Farmington Lane in Vernon Hills, was arrested last Thursday and charged with 12 counts of criminal sexual assault. She is being held at Lake County Jail with bail set at $1 million. Her defense attorney, Barry Sheppard, sought unsuccessfully to reduce it to $250,000.

Beard was fired by a unanimous vote of the Vernon Hills High School District 128 Board of Education Monday night. The district earlier released a statement saying it "regrets the pain some individuals may be experiencing as a result of recent allegations made regarding the conduct of District 128 employee Cori Beard." The statement said Beard had been working in the district since the 2013-2014 school year.

At a bond review hearing Tuesday, Lake County Judge George Strickland said Beard could still face additional charges as the investigation into her conduct with underage boys continues. He said Beard appeared to have some "personality aspects of a predator," the Daily Herald reported.

Prosecutors said Beard admitted to having sex with three students in a statement to investigators, the Lake County News-Sun reported. Assistant State's Attorney Eric Kalata said the most recent instance of abuse with a minor took place within the past several weeks. The alleged sexual activities took place at Beard's house, her parent's house and in cars.

Beard's lawyer emphasized that none of the allegations include any claims of coercion. Sheppard said Beard has been "extremely cooperative" and was "particularly contrite," according to the News-Sun.

Outside of court, Sheppard described the bond as "excessively high" and described his client as "very sad, very distraught," according to the Daily Herald. He said Beard had no criminal record, worked a retail job in Northbrook and was not a flight risk.

Beard is someone who has "lived a law-abiding life, who's been a good coach, and led an exemplary life thus far. We're hopeful to restore her to her pretrial freedom soon," Sheppard said, according to WBBM-TV.

But with more possible victims out there, Strickland sided with prosecutors recommendation against lowering Beard's bail.

Police said they have not yet extracted all of the information – such as deleted messages or images – from cell phones and social media accounts under investigation.

The alleged sex crimes that led to the initial charges all occurred between Dec. 2016 and Feb. 2018, according to court records.

Kalata, the Lake County prosecutor, said Beard would serve between 48 and 180 years in prison if convicted of all the charges she currently faces, the Daily Herald reported.

Vernon Hills High School Principal Jon Guillame held a meeting with parents and members of the boys and girls soccer teams Sunday before holding voluntary meetings with employees at Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools, according to the district.

Beard is due back in court April 18.

Anyone with information about the ongoing investigation was asked to contact Vernon Hills police at 847-247-4884.

» MORE: High School Soccer Coach Accused Of Sexual Acts With 3 Boys