LeRoy High School teacher pleads not guilty to grooming a student

Posted on October 23, 2020
Brandon Reynolds, 33, of LeRoy. (Facebook/LeRoy IL Police Department)

 

By HOI ABC

LEROY – A LeRoy High School teacher charged with grooming plead not guilty in McLean County court Friday.

Brandon Reynolds is being accused of using a cellphone in trying to solicit a minor to engage in sexual conduct. He was charged with the crime on Oct. 8.

According to the charge, the crime happened in May of 2019.

Reynolds will be back in court on Dec. 3, according to our news partner HOI ABC.

Following Reynolds arrest earlier this month, LeRoy Community Unit School District #2 Superintendent Gary Tipsord said a teacher was placed on paid administrative leave amid allegations of “inappropriate communication” with a student. Tipsord did not identify the teacher, but Reynolds was listed on the district’s website as a high school science teacher.

Reynolds attorney, Josh Rinker, issued a statement on his client’s behalf.

“At this point, the accusations are nothing more than a piece of paper, they still must be proven. Today we argued against the allegations brought against our client and we will continue to do so. We are at the beginning stages of a lengthy process and don’t believe that cases should be tried in the court of public opinion.”

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…