Chicago Man Accused of Soliciting Child Pornography Through High School Basketball Program
A Chicago man, identified as Eric Courts, aged 41, who served as a mentor in a high school basketball program, is facing allegations of using his position to solicit sexually explicit videos from a 17-year-old boy, as per prosecutors. The Chicago Police Department suspects that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Judge James Costello has ordered Courts to be detained after determining probable cause that he exploited his involvement in the Adidas Legacy Program at Crane Medical Prep High School to request child pornography from an underage basketball player. In the detention order, Costello stated that Courts portrayed himself as a mentor and engaged in covert communications with the teenager, gradually progressing towards soliciting sexual content.
It is alleged that Courts provided the teenager with branded sports equipment and promised more items in exchange for further explicit videos. Investigators claim that Courts used his influence in the basketball program to acquire exclusive merchandise and use it as leverage to manipulate juvenile victims.
A police report from Chicago revealed that evidence included three videos depicting the 17-year-old engaging in sexual activities with peers. Courts allegedly incentivized the boy with basketball shoes and pledged additional gear if he continued sending explicit content.
Upon disclosing the situation to others, the teenager’s actions led to the discovery of incriminating evidence on Courts’s phone. Prosecutors stated that Courts attempted to destroy evidence during the initial stages of the investigation.
Eric Courts is facing charges of solicitation of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
The Chicago Police Department has emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and has urged potential additional victims to come forward. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact CPD’s Special Investigations Unit at 312-492-3810.
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