Identical twin brothers who taught math and coached wrestling in Thornton Fractional High School District 215 are now at the center of a criminal firestorm, accused of sexually assaulting students they were supposed to mentor. Aaron Richmond was charged late last year after a student reported an incident from March 2024, and his twin brother, Andre Richmond, was arrested in early January on separate counts that include criminal sexual assault and child pornography. The brothers resigned from the district in June 2024, and parents and attorneys say the unfolding cases are reviving tough questions about how the district handled earlier warnings.
Former coach Aaron Richmond indicted last winter
According to Glenwood police and prosecutors, Aaron Richmond, 31, a former wrestling coach at Thornton Fractional South, was arrested in December 2024 and later indicted on aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual assault tied to an alleged March 2024 incident. Prosecutors say Richmond picked up a 16-year-old student after telling her he would drive her to a wrestling tournament, then took her to his home and assaulted her before eventually taking her to the event, ABC7 Chicago reports. After a review by prosecutors, a judge ordered Richmond detained while the case moves through the courts.
Andre Richmond arrested this month, authorities say
On Jan. 6, Lansing police arrested Andre Richmond and charged him with criminal sexual assault and child pornography, according to investigators. As reported by CBS Chicago, authorities allege Andre abused two geometry students: one at a motel during the 2021–22 school year and another on multiple occasions in spring and summer 2024, including alleged incidents that occurred on school grounds. Officials say the allegations involving both brothers remain under active criminal investigation.
Attorney says district was warned earlier
Zane Smith, the attorney for one of the students, told CBS Chicago that the district received tips about concerns as early as January 2023. Instead of removing Andre from student contact, Smith says, the district placed him in a role described as a "student safety monitor." Smith calls it "a terrible case of really dropping the ball, and more worried about politics than protecting children" and has filed a civil claim against Andre and the district alleging failures in supervision and screening.
Board minutes show June resignations
District documents on the Thornton Fractional Board of Education's minutes page reflect personnel moves in June 2024 that include both brothers stepping down from their positions, according to the district's records Board meeting minutes. In interviews with local media, district officials confirmed they are aware of the criminal charges but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal cases, according to reporting by ABC7 Chicago.
What happens next
Both criminal cases remain pending, and prosecutors have not yet announced trial dates. Civil litigation against Andre and the district is also underway. Attorneys for Andre say they will investigate the allegations, while lawyers for Aaron declined to comment to reporters, according to local coverage. Authorities are urging anyone with information connected to the investigations to contact the appropriate police departments.
