A Chicago man is accused of sexually abusing and grooming a 15-year-old boy.
Chicago police and US Marshals detained Andre Jackson, 56, on Monday in the 700 block of East 111th Street.
According to investigators, Jackson posed as a basketball coach before grooming and sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy.
Jackson was charged with severe criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation, and grooming. The court ordered his detention until his next court appearance on Wednesday, November 18.
According to Cook County prosecutors, the 56-year-old texted and called an 8th grader virtually every day, promising presents and the opportunity to join an AAU basketball team. They believe the discussions started in September 2024 and lasted until August of this year, when the victim’s mother discovered it.
Jackson was detained on Monday and made his first court appearance wearing what seemed to be a “Kroc Center” shirt. Prosecutors say some of his interactions with the victim occurred at the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center on the city’s Far South Side, where the defendant helped the victim with a workout and told him he wanted the adolescent to play basketball for his team. But no one involved with the case ever saw him coach.
The text chats began shortly after that, initially innocent, but according to prosecutors, they evolved into sexually explicit conversations. The guy allegedly told the youngster he should be an underwear model and that he would photograph the images. In other communications, authorities say he tried to persuade the victim to shower with him and requested images of everything.
Prosecutors said the suspect’s background indicates a threat to the community because this is not a one-time crime. They claim Jackson previously attempted to recruit the victim’s cousin to the same fictitious AAU basketball team, sexually attacked an 18-year-old woman who resided in his apartment building, and offered to pay a 13-year-old child to remove his clothes.
According to prosecutors, Jackson told a group of youngsters on multiple occasions that he would take them to basketball tournaments, but they were turned down since the suspect never showed up.
Additionally, authorities believe there may be additional victims. As a result, authorities are requesting that families who believe they know a kid who has been victimized contact them.
The investigation is continuing, and CPD is requesting anyone with information to call 312-492-3810. Anonymous tips can be submitted at cpdtip.com.
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