May 20--A former assistant football coach and office clerk at Johnsburg High School admitted in court Friday that he had inappropriate contact with two underage students.
Damon Malone, 40, whose last known address was in Carpentersville, pleaded guilty in McHenry County to criminal sexual abuse and aggravated battery in a public place. He was sentenced to three years in prison for the sexual abuse conviction and four years for the battery conviction.
As part of his plea deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a charge of aggravated criminal sexual assault, which did not allow probation and carried a prison term up to 15 years.
The sentences will be served concurrently, and Malone, who has been in custody at the McHenry County jail since his arrest on April 30, 2015, will receive day-for-day credit as well for 387 days served in jail. He also will receive additional credit for time spent in county jail from Friday until he is transported to prison.
Malone will be under one year of court supervision when he is released and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.
Assistant State's Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein said that on Feb. 24, 2015, while Malone was in his car in the parking lot of a department store, he forced a girl, whom he held a "position of authority over," to perform a sexual act at the threat of violence.
Malone's lawyer, Mark Facchini, said that "threat" did not involve physical harm but was a threat to "disclose a photo to a third party."
During the investigation a second girl came forward and said that in February 2015, Malone forced an open-mouthed kiss on her, also in the parking lot of a retail store.
Malone worked at the high school for 2 1/2 years as a teacher's aide and coach, according to school officials. He also assisted in the drama department, school officials said.
The school district had been notified of the allegations by one of the victims.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
