A Cook County judge on Tuesday handed down a 22-year prison sentence to former Chicago Public Schools dean Brian Crowder, 43, for sexually abusing a student while she attended the Little Village high school where he managed disciplinary matters. The sentencing concludes the criminal proceedings but leaves unresolved a civil lawsuit that continues to accuse both Crowder and the school district of systemic failures.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Sentence: 22 years in prison (three consecutive terms of 12, 5, and 5 years)

• Conviction: Found guilty on multiple felony counts of sexual abuse; acquitted on three of seven charges

• Victim: Now 26, testified Crowder coerced her into a relationship beginning when she was 15

• Civil Lawsuit: Claims CPS failed to act despite visible warning signs

• Background: CPS under scrutiny since Chicago Tribune’s 2018 “Betrayed” investigation

The verdict followed a jury trial last month in which the woman, now an adult, took the stand for several hours. She described in detail how the relationship began and how she felt pressured under Crowder’s authority.

The panel deliberated for about three hours before delivering a split decision — convicting Crowder on several charges while acquitting him on three of the seven felony sex counts.

Judge Stanley Sacks, presiding over the sentencing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, ordered Crowder to serve three consecutive terms: twelve years, followed by two separate five-year terms.

The woman’s attorneys, Martin Gould and Nicholas Wainwright, described the sentence as an important moment in their client’s pursuit of justice.

“Brian Crowder’s sentencing is a critical milestone in our client’s long and courageous fight for justice,” they said in a joint statement.

“She confronted her abuser, endured years of retraumatization through the legal process, and in doing so, ensured he could never harm another student. Her bravery deserves the highest recognition.”

They also criticized the conduct of several Chicago Public Schools employees who, they said, defended Crowder in court.

“CPS failed in its most basic duty — to protect its students,” the statement continued. “That failure is laid bare by the disturbing fact that multiple CPS employees, including another dean and a head of security, defended Crowder in court.”

Crowder’s case comes at a time when CPS’ handling of sexual abuse complaints remains under public and legal scrutiny. The Chicago Tribune’s 2018 “Betrayed” investigation exposed widespread failures in the district’s reporting procedures, background checks, and responses to misconduct allegations.

In the ongoing civil complaint, the victim accuses staff at Little Village Lawndale High School of noticing her time spent alone with Crowder but doing nothing to intervene. According to the filing, some employees “would joke” about the amount of time the two spent together.

At the time of the abuse, Crowder was serving as the associate dean of discipline at Social Justice High School, a branch of Little Village Lawndale High School. Prosecutors said his position gave him the power to influence whether the student faced disciplinary action, creating a dynamic where she felt she could not refuse him.

Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Kofoed, in her closing argument, underscored the imbalance of power.

“He wasn’t just a teacher. At that point he was the dean of discipline,” Kofoed told jurors. “He controlled the relationship because he was in power.”

CPS officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment following Tuesday’s sentencing.

The sentencing of Brian Crowder brings closure to the criminal case but leaves broader questions about Chicago Public Schools’ accountability unresolved. As the civil lawsuit moves forward, the district faces continued scrutiny over how it responds to allegations of misconduct — and whether enough is being done to ensure the safety of its students.

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