Trevor B. Fleming, 41, the owner and chef at Avondale hotspot Warlord, was served with an order of protection Monday after a former co-worker accused him of sharing private sexual images without her consent. Court records show Fleming was arrested Jan. 17 and is charged with felony nonconsensual dissemination of a sexual image.
Accuser Says Images Clearly Show Her
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the accuser says the images were taken during a sexual encounter in September 2023 and “clearly show” her face and intimate parts. She told the paper she first met Fleming on the dating app Tinder in 2019 and later worked for him, helping with design at the restaurant.
Court records and interviews reviewed by the Sun-Times, as reported by the paper, indicate other women began contacting the accuser in July 2024, alleging Fleming had sent them private photos or videos.
Late-Night Darling With A Big Reputation
Warlord opened in spring 2023 and quickly turned into a late-night favorite in Avondale, known for long lines, live-fire cooking, and dry-aged meats at 3198 N. Milwaukee Ave. The restaurant was profiled at its opening by Eater Chicago, and it is listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
How Illinois Treats Nonconsensual Explicit Images
In Illinois, the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images is a criminal offense that can be prosecuted as a felony. State law covers intentionally sharing images of an identifiable adult who is engaged in sexual activity or has exposed intimate parts, when the image was obtained under circumstances a reasonable person would expect to be private. Convictions can carry prison time and fines, and the statute’s language spells out what prosecutors must prove, according to Law.justia.
What Comes Next In Court
Fleming is due back in court Wednesday. A manager at Warlord told reporters he could not be reached and was not at the restaurant that evening.
The accuser told the Chicago Sun-Times she felt a “sense of justice” after seeking the protection order. Court records show another former co-worker already holds an order of protection against Fleming that runs through March 11, 2027.
The restaurant has said the team is continuing with plans for a project called Lords in Humboldt Park, a development mentioned in recent announcements.
