By Matthew Freeman
Gargoyle senior editor
Posted Tuesday, March 14, 2006, The OG, news

Yuri Ermakov, an assistant track and cross-country coach for Uni High who was arrested Friday night by University of Illinois police, was formally charged during an arraignment held Monday afternoon at the Champaign County Courthouse.

Ermakov, a 23-year-old Urbana resident, was charged with criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/12-13 a4), aggravated criminal sexual abuse (720 ILCS 5/12-16 f), and contributing to the delinquency of a child (720 ILCS 130/1a & 2a).

According to the charges, the incidents took place between September 2005 and March 2006. No specifics were given as to where the incidents occurred.

When asked why the charges against Ermakov had changed from the time of his arrest to the time of his arraignment, Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz declined to elaborate, saying that it is the prosecution's decision as to which charges to bring.

Because the case deals with minors, she also declined to allow the Gargoyle to examine records of the case.

If convicted of criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony, Ermakov would face between four and 15 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $25,000. If convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony, he would face three to seven years in prison and a possible fine of up to $25,000. If convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, he would face up to 364 days in prison and a possible fine of up to $2,500.

Ermakov heard these charges read to him by Sixth Circuit Court Associate Judge John R. Kennedy by microphone but was not present in the courtroom. He was shown on television screens mounted on the walls via live video feed. He was in custody on $150,000 bond. Ermakov's defending attorney appealed the bond, but it remained set at $150,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. March 28 at the Courthouse.

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Note from Gargoyle adviser David Porreca:

The Gargoyle staff understands the seriousness and sensitivity of this case. We will not publish any factual statements that we cannot confirm through official sources. We will respect victim privacy. Our goal is to provide accurate information to our readers about a subject of public importance.

Because minors are involved, State's Attorney Julia Rietz told us Monday that she will not allow us to examine records of the case. Nor was she willing to answer follow-up questions intended to ensure the accuracy of notes that Gargoyle reporters had taken during the arraignment.

We will not publish any information whose accuracy we are not confident of, so we have refrained from presenting some of the details of the charges given in court Monday. We will, however, quote the relevant passages from the Illinois Criminal Code that apply to the felonies alleged in this case.

Criminal sexual assault (Class 1 felony):
“The accused commits criminal sexual assault if he or she … commits an act of sexual penetration with a victim who was at least 13 years of age but under 18 years of age when the act was committed and the accused was 17 years of age or over and held a position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to the victim.” (720 ILCS 5/12-13 a4)

“‘Sexual penetration' means … any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the body of one person … into the sex organ … of another person ….” (720 ILCS 5/12-12 f)

Aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony):
“The accused commits aggravated criminal sexual abuse if he or she commits an act of sexual conduct with a victim who was at least 13 years of age but under 18 years of age when the act was committed and the accused was 17 years of age or over and held a position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to the victim.” (720 ILCS 5/12-16 f)

“‘Sexual conduct' means any intentional or knowing touching or fondling by the victim or the accused, either directly or through clothing … for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal of the victim or the accused.” (720 ILCS 5/12-12 e)