Former teacher Hubly convicted of battery, giving alcohol to minors

A McHenry County judge on Friday found a former Crystal Lake Central High School teacher guilty of inappropriately touching former students and serving them alcohol at his home.

Judge Robert Wilbrandt issued a written decision to attorneys during the morning’s regular call, where spectators both in support and opposition of former choir director Justin Hubly divided themselves on either side of the room.

Defense attorney Henry Sugden said he plans to appeal Hubly’s conviction and gave little merit to the fact that the alleged victims were former Crystal Lake Central students.

“It’s much ado about nothing,” Sugden said.

Hubly was charged in 2016 in two separate cases with battery and giving alcohol to a minor. The charges stemmed from claims that the former teacher hosted get-togethers at his Crystal Lake home, where he provided groups of mostly 19-year-olds with tequila and rum, and on two occasions, allegedly inappropriately touched young women.

He was found guilty on all but one of five counts of giving alcohol to a minor. Hubly was convicted on battery charges in each case.

Parents of the women Hubly was accused of groping said they believe he exploited his former teacher-student relationship with the then-19-year-olds after they graduated.

“He builds this aura about himself,” one parent said. “They all want to be his friend.”

During April 20 testimony, Hubly told prosecutors an ex-student who admitted in court to not liking the former teacher persuaded the other college-aged witnesses to lie on the stand.

The judge said in his decision, however, there was no evidence of a “conspiracy.” Rather, Hubly seemed to be admired by students in the music and theater department up until the allegations arose, Wilbrandt said.

Hubly would continue to offer “mentorship” to the young adults as they entered their first years of college. It was clear to Wilbrandt that the women looked to Hubly for guidance during bouts of homesickness or trouble with schoolwork – not for a romantic relationship.

“The evidence shows that the students did not believe that the nature of their relationship with [Hubly] had changed to a romantic or even potentially romantic one, nor did they give their consent to such a change,” Wilbrandt wrote.

Hubly had worked as the high school’s choir director since 2004. He also served as student activities director and president of the District 155 Education Association.

By all accounts, the 36-year-old was a trusted and respected teacher, even among the victims’ parents.

“We had no reason to believe she was ever in harm’s way,” one of the women’s parents said.

At trial, Sugden argued that Hubly was acting as the then-19- and 20-year-olds’ parent, and couldn’t be penalized for giving the underage partygoers alcohol under his own roof.

Parents who filtered out of the courtroom Friday – some in tears – said they trusted Hubly, but never believed he would be supervising them as a chaperone.

It is unclear how the conviction could affect Hubly’s teaching license, which is due to expire in June. Hubly isn’t likely to pursue another job in teaching, at least not in McHenry County, his attorney has said. Since the misdemeanor charges were filed against him, he has relocated to Oak Brook and found work as a consultant, Sugden said.

Sugden previously tried to suppress evidence gathered during an Oct. 19, 2016, interview between Hubly and Randy Davis, assistant superintendent of human resources for District 155 at the time. Judge Joel Berg ruled in April 2017 that he would bar statements Hubly made to the assistant superintendent, but would allow all other evidence, including testimony of former students who spoke with district officials.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 11, when the women will be given an opportunity to address Hubly directly in court.

“... [Hubly] appeared to be a good teacher who unfortunately crossed the sometimes blurry line between being a friendly mentor and becoming an active participant in his ex-students’ socially questionable activities,” Wilbrandt said.