Thornwood High School teacher charged with sex abuse bonds out of jail

DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) -- A suburban high school teacher is out of jail on bond Wednesday night after being charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Jesus Sanchez, 44, a Spanish teacher and freshman basketball coach at Thornwood High School, is accused of groping a student he was giving a ride home from the Tinley Park restaurant where she worked. The 17-year-old girl said she had missed the bus, so she reluctantly accepted the offer since two other male students were also in the car.

Sanchez dropped them off first, the victim, who spoke with ABC7 Eyewitness News, said. Then, he put his hands around her neck, fondled her and slapped her behind, she said.

"I figure there's no way to get out of this car. Every time I move, he starts to choke me," the victim said.

Sanchez has taught at Thornwood High School for 14 years. His attorney said Sanchez is an Army veteran who is married with two children and has no criminal record.

Sanchez's family left without comment.

Bond was set at $200,000. The Cook County Sheriff's Office said that Sanchez posted bail Wednesday night.