Former Dean Sentenced to 22 Years for Student Abuse
A former dean of a Chicago high school has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually abusing a student under his supervision. The sentencing of Brian Crowder, 43, took place on March 5, 2024, after a Cook County jury convicted him on multiple felony counts related to the abuse that occurred while the victim attended Little Village Lawndale High School.
During the trial, the victim, now a 26-year-old woman, provided harrowing testimony about how Crowder coerced her into a sexual relationship when she was only 15 years old. After approximately three hours of deliberation, the jury found Crowder guilty on several charges but acquitted him of three out of seven felony counts he faced.
The sentencing concluded a criminal case that has drawn attention to the handling of sexual abuse allegations within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. In response to this case, attorneys representing the victim have filed a pending civil lawsuit against Crowder and the school district, criticizing CPS officials for their role in allowing the abuse to persist.
Details of the Sentencing Hearing
During the sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building, Judge Stanley Sacks imposed three consecutive terms of imprisonment for Crowder, totaling 22 years. The court records indicate that two of the terms are for 12 years and 5 years each. The victim’s attorneys, Martin Gould and Nicholas Wainwright, expressed their relief regarding the outcome, emphasizing the importance of the victim’s courage in confronting her abuser.
“Brian Crowder’s sentencing is a critical milestone in our client’s long and courageous fight for justice,” the attorneys stated. They condemned CPS for failing to protect its students, highlighting that multiple district employees, including another dean and a head of security, provided character references for Crowder during the hearing. “That failure is laid bare by the disturbing fact that multiple CPS employees defended Crowder in court,” they added.
Crowder served as an associate dean at the Social Justice High School, part of the Little Village Lawndale High School complex. The victim testified that he first approached her in the school lunchroom, asking for her Snapchat username, which ultimately led to a sexual relationship.
Broader Implications and Concerns
The case raises significant questions about the CPS’s handling of allegations of sexual abuse. An investigation by the Chicago Tribune in 2018, titled “Betrayed,” uncovered systemic failures in how the school district managed such allegations. The report detailed instances where the district neglected to report accusations to law enforcement and failed to conduct thorough background checks on employees.
In the civil lawsuit, the victim accuses school employees of inaction when they noticed inappropriate behavior between Crowder and the student. According to the complaint, staff members would “joke about how much time was spent alone” between Crowder and the student, yet no steps were taken to intervene.
The scrutiny surrounding CPS’s response to sexual abuse allegations continues to be a pressing issue. As this case unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for reform in how educational institutions protect their students and address allegations of misconduct. The victim’s brave confrontation with her abuser not only led to a significant legal outcome but also brings attention to the systemic changes necessary to ensure student safety in schools across the region.
