CHICAGO, IL – On Friday, January 24th, former Chicago Public School gym teacher, Andrew Castro, was sentenced in a horrific case of grooming and sexual abuse against three young students. Castro plead guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13; two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child under 13; and exploitation of a child under 13.
Judge Domenica Stephenson sentenced Castro to 10 years for the assaults, seven years for each abuse case and one year for the exploitation charge. The abuse and exploitation sentences would be served concurrently so the total prison term would be 17 years.
Castro was a physical education teacher at Federico Lora Elementary when we formed inappropriate relationships with the three related boys. Over a period of year, Castro groomed and sexually abused the boys attending their sporting events, taking them to the mall and to the movies, and having them at his home.
Last year, attorneys from Disparti Law Group and the Karlin Law Firm, LLC announced a $2 million settlement with the Chicago Public Schools in the civil case.
“While we are happy there has been another significant step toward resolution in this case, there is still a long road of recovery for the abused in this case,” remarks Larry Disparti, Founder of Disparti Law Group.
More than 2,000 cases have been brought to the Chicago Public School Office of the Inspector General Sexual Allegations Unit (SAU) since its inception. In their report to the Chicago Board of Education, dated in February of 2024, the SAU noted that reports of sexual abuse rose 12% this year. “It is not acceptable that there is a single case of sexual abuse in our school system,” stated Disparti, “Our children deserve better.”
This case is one of several cases that have come into the Disparti Law Group as part of their Sexual Abuse Hotline – a special line that allows parents of abused children to call and speak directly, and confidentially, with an attorney that specializes in abuse cases. Parents of any child who may have been groomed or abused can call (312) 506-1235 for help.
###
About Disparti Law Group
The Disparti Law Group is one of the most successful law firms serving the greater Chicagoland area. As the leader in Injury, Disability, Workers’ Comp, and Employment Law, with more than $1 billion in recoveries, the Disparti Law Group has been named One of the Most Influential Law Firms in America by Trial Lawyer Magazine. More information is available at: www.dispartilaw.com
PRESS CONTACT:
Jason M. Baumann
jason@dispartilaw.com
(773) 909-5277