By Sergei Pourmal & Matthew Freeman
Gargoyle co-editor-in-chief & senior editor
Posted Wednesday, March 29, 2006, The OG, news

Yuri Ermakov, an assistant track and cross-country coach at Uni High from August 2004 to March 2006, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

Ermakov, a 23-year-old Urbana resident, appeared at the Champaign County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing. He was arrested and arraigned earlier in March in connection with incidents involving minors that allegedly took place between September 2005 and March 2006.

No details about the charges were discussed in court during the Tuesday proceedings. The police report concerning the case has yet to be made public. Ermakov is under a no-contact order prohibiting him from communicating with Uni High students and personnel.

Sixth Circuit Court Associate Judge John R. Kennedy ordered Ermakov to appear for a pretrial hearing at 1:30 p.m. on May 24 in Room A of the Courthouse.

Ermakov began work at Uni High as a paid assistant coach in August 2004. Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for public affairs at the University of Illinois, confirmed for the Gargoyle that Ermakov is no longer employed by the school.

[Note: This story has been revised since it was originally posted. Information updating Ermakov's employment status with Uni High has been added to the article and the headline. The changes were made at 3:20 a.m. on Friday, March 30.]