East High School security guard arrested
By Joe McGehee
Staff Writer
According to a Rockford Police Department (RPD) arrest release, Rockford East High School officials notified Rockford Police officers Nov. 19 that a 15-year-old female student had received obscene photos on her home computer from a male security guard who worked at the high school.
During the course of a follow-up investigation, detectives from the RPD identified a 17-year-old student with whom the same security guard had illegal sexual contact.
The security guard has been identified as Shaun A. George, 32, an employee of Diamond Security. The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case facts and has authorized charges of criminal sexual assault, aggravated sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and distribution of harmful materials.
“If he hadn’t passed a background check, there’s no way he would have been in the building,” said Mark Bonne, chief communications officer for District 205. “The situation came to light after we had asked Diamond Security to remove him from the building for a different reason.”
George’s background reveals no history of sexual abuse or assault. He was taken into custody at his home in the 600 block of 16th Avenue Dec. 14 without incident and is currently lodged in the Winnebago County Jail. Bond has been set at $200,000.
Diamond Security declined to return numerous calls to verify George’s employment with their company as of press time. Diamond Security replaced Security Professionals of Illinois as District 205’s contracted security agency this year.
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One Comment
RPS205 Mark Bonne comments:
“If he hadn’t passed a background check, there’s no way he would have been in the building,” said Mark Bonne, chief communications officer for District 205. “The situation came to light after we had asked Diamond Security to remove him from the building for a different reason.”
Really? How do you know.
You have a security firm you chose because they could cut costs and pay security guards less. How much do they pay their internal staff? Who did the background check? Were they qualified? Have you seen the background check results? As an outsourced employee typically only Diamond Security has access and can not share it unless Shaun George signs a disclosure for RPS205 to have access. Is that the case?
A more appropriate reply would have been, We are shocked and demanding Diamond Security prove that a background check was completed and are reviewing all current security personnel to ensure compliance.
The Rockford Register Star included in their article:(the only local media outlet to do so) “Police said George became friends with the student before engaging in illegal sexual conduct” & “The School Board voted 4-3 to change security firms with the expectation of saving more than $100,000 for the 2010-11 school year”.
Well I guess that RRStar wants to make sure we don’t place any of the blame the RPS205 and Dr. Sheffield for selecting Diamond Security. I mean, they are reducing the number of arrests of students significantly…not that discipline has improved, but LaVonne sure looks better on paper.