High school track and field coach indicted following allegations of sex with underage students
April 20
JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today a Grand Jury has indicted a volunteer track and field coach from the Joliet Township High School District on charges alleging he had sex with eight underage girls.
Marcus J. Grocesley, 21, of 719 Water St., Joliet, was indicted on 11 counts of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
The 11 indictments for criminal sexual assault allege that because of his position as a track and field coach, Grocesley “held a position of trust, authority or supervision” over six of the teen-age girls.
The two indictments for aggravated criminal sexual abuse allege Grocesley had sex with two other underage girls and that he “caused great bodily harm” by passing sexually transmitted diseases to both.
Criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 Felony that could result in a prison sentence ranging from 4-15 years and up to a $25,000 fine if convicted. If convicted on all counts of criminal sexual assault, the defendant could receive a minimum prison sentence of 44 years. Pursuant to Illinois law, offenses of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child require courts to impose consecutive sentences for each count.
Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a Class 2 Felony that could result in a prison sentence of 3-7 years and up to a $25,000 fine if convicted.
“The safety and security of our children while attending school is paramount,” Glasgow said. “The prosecution of these types of cases must be swift and certain, especially when the alleged perpetrator holds a position of trust.”
The Joliet Police Department moved swiftly to begin an investigation on March 16 after one of the girls came forward with allegations that she had sex with Grocesley.
Grocesley currently is in custody at the Will County Jail on $500,000 bond. He was arraigned Wednesday. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for May 18 before Judge Carla Alessio Goode in courtroom 407 at the Will County Courthouse.
The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.