Havana, ILLINOIS

Apr 12, 2007 - Tony Osing, 45, a fifth-grade teacher at Havana Junior High School, was arrested on charges of criminal sexual assault.

Osing is part of an on-going investigation. The school board president said police asked him to let him into the junior high school because they had a search warrant. He also said he does not know details of the case such as who was allegedly assaulted, or when and where.
"I hope it wasn't a student," he said.

Formal charges have not yet been released, said Mason County State's Attorney Kristen Miller. An ongoing police investigation is being conducted against Osing, she said.

Osing will make his initial court appearance on April 26.

CHARGED Apr 25 - Osing was charged Tuesday with sexually abusing a student over a period of more than three years. (PJS Star: The charges allege that Osing had sex with "John Doe," who was under the age of 13.)

The charges are two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, one count of aggravated sexual abuse and four counts of criminal sexual assault. The charges allege Osing molested a boy, who was once his student, from May 2001 to August 2004.

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR The judge approved a request for a special prosecutor. Osing’s father, Dale Osing, is a member of the Mason County Board. State’s Attorney Kristen Miller serves as the board’s attorney and the board also sets her budget.

Osing resigned Monday. A preliminary hearing is set for May 22.

May 23 - Osing pleaded not guilty. Judge Scott Butler scheduled a jury trial for Oct. 9.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Jan 5, 2008 - Osing pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault. In an agreement with prosecutors, five other charges him were dropped. In court, Osing admitted to performing oral sex on the student who had come over to Osing's home for help with homework.

According to WEEK, Special Prosecutor Michael Vujovich says the state's case against Osing was overwhelming because of an audio recording made by Osing. It was a recording of one of the sexual assaults, made as it was happening, in Osing's home.Prosecutors say Osing threatened to play it for others and ruin the victim's reputation if he told anyone what happened. Angie Haarman, a former friend of Osing, discovered the recording last year and turned it over to state police.

Osing was sentenced to 15 years. Under Illinois truth in sentencing law, he will do at least 85% of that time before he is eligible for parole.