Crime & Safety
Former Christian High School Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Crimes
A 34-year-old former Southwest Chicago Christian High School music teacher arrested in April pleaded not guilty to a nine-count indictment.
A former Southwest Chicago Christian High music teacher pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing a pair of his students.
Kenneth Martin, 34, entered his plea before Cook County Judge Colleen Hyland at the Bridgeview Courthouse Thursday morning.
Martin, who is free bond, was arraigned on a five-count indictiment charging him with criminal sexual abuse. He was represented by attorney Chris Palanca.
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The Palos Heights police arrested Martin in April. Two students reportedly went to the police a year before that and accused Martin of engaging in inappropriate relations with them in 2009. One of the students was 16 at the time. Martin, who in 2009 went by the name Kenneth Whitney, reportedly taught the two music.
Martin left Southwest Chicago Christian High after that school year, police said.
Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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