Ex-school employee seeks 'mistake of age' defense in student sex assault case

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (WLS) -- There is a new defense tactic for a former suburban school employee charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old student.

Christopher Lee was the dean's assistant at St. Charles North High School. On Monday, his lawyer filed a motion for a "reasonable mistake of age" defense.

The legal age of consent in Illinois is 17, but Lee is accused of committing the offenses while in a "position of trust". According to Illinois law, that raises the age of consent to 18.

Both sides are back in court in three weeks.