By Illinois Review
A former Deerfield High School volunteer wrestling coach and district-wide social media coordinator has been arrested and charged with possessing child pornography, according to official statements.
Deerfield has remained in the national headlines since last month, when school officials forced middle school-aged girls to change in front of a trans-identifying boy in the girl’s locker room.
However, school officials, under the supervision of legal counsel, said that students could use whatever bathroom or locker room that aligned with their “chosen” gender.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights officially launched an investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, Chicago Public School District 299, and Deerfield Public Schools District 109, for Title IX violations.
Alexander E. Cohen, 34, has remained a presence on the high school’s campus going back a decade. His LinkedIn profile lists his experience as a wrestling coach and social media coordinator at Deerfield High School since 2012.
In a letter to parents, District 113 officials said they are “unaware of any allegations of criminal activity against the defendant during the time the defendant volunteered as an assistant wrestling coach.”
The letter also included a tip line for anyone that Cohen may have had inappropriate contact with during his time working with students.
The latest is yet another public relations nightmare for school officials – and places the small community back on the national radar while federal officials investigate the locker room incident.
Cohen has been in jail since May 8th and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 15th.
