text: » Blog Archive Former Teacher and Coach Convicted of Sexually Abusing Minor -
  A south suburban school teacher and coach has been convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old female student, according to the Office of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.
  Idris Bridgeforth, 42, of Riverdale, was convicted after a bench trial of Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 1 Felony), 2 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony), and Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 2 Felony). Bridgeforth faces a mandatory prison sentence of 7-22 years when he is sentenced next month.
  According to prosecutors, Bridgeforth was the victim's basketball and track coach and frequently drove the victim to and from sporting events. On multiple occasions between December 2011 and June 2012 Bridgeforth inappropriately touched and sexually abused the victim while they were in his vehicle.
  On June 2, 2012, the victim received multiple text messages from Bridgeforth in which he indicated that he would like to be more intimate with the victim, and that he would use protection. Several days later, the victim's mother observed a text message late at night, and curious to see who was texting her daughter she began reading through older messages. The victim's mother recognized the phone number attached to the messages as Bridgeforth's. She then verified it with school administrators and immediately contacted law enforcement.
  Bridgeforth was arrested on June 6, 2012 and text messages between Bridgeforth and the victim were recovered from the victim's iTouch.
  Cook County Judge Erica Reddick convicted Bridgeforth today after a bench trial at the George Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago. His next court date is scheduled for September 24th.