Record-Setting New Lenox Placekicker Facing Sex Case Sued By Former High School Student

NEW LENOX, IL — A record-setting placekicker for Lincoln-Way Central who was charged last year with sexually assaulting a high school student was sued Friday by the young woman.

Jake Wieclaw, 26, was charged in June with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Wieclaw’s alleged victim was 17 at the time of the January 2014 sexual assault, according to the lawsuit.

In January 2014, Wieclaw had been working for the Lincoln-Way High School District as a paraprofessional and was also a volunteer football coach, district spokeswoman Stacy Holland said after he was arrested. Wieclaw resigned within a week of the alleged incident.

The lawsuit says Wieclaw met the teen — identified only as “Jane Doe” — while he was working with a Lincoln-Way West High School physical education class. The teen was a student in the class.

Wieclaw used his status as a paraprofessional teacher to “lure and entice” the teen to his New Lenox home “for the purpose of engaging in sexual gratification, with a minor,” the suit said.

Wieclaw “willfully touched Jane Doe’s genitals and engaged in sexual gratification,” the suit said, “including but not limited to sexual penetration and other offensive acts.”

This was done “under coercive conditions,” according to the lawsuit.

Wieclaw’s criminal case remains unresolved. He spent about 10 hours in jail after he was arrested in June. Wieclaw was released on $10,000 bail.

As a four-year starter for Lincoln-Way Central, Wieclaw set the state record for most career field goals, kicking 48. He also set the state record for most field goals in a season with 19 in 2006.

Wieclaw graduated in 2007 and continued playing football at the University of Miami. He kicked 30 field goals over the 2011 and 2012 seasons.