Bond was set at $500,000 on Friday for a man who up until the day after he was charged last week in the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in the South Chicago neighborhood was a basketball coach for a South Side charter school.

Kevin Jones, 35, of the 8300 block of South Kerfoot Avenue, was charged with one count each of felony criminal sexual assault on a victim between 13 and 17 years old and attempted criminal sexual assault by force, according to police. Bond was set at $500,000 on Friday during a hearing at the Cook County Criminal courthouse at 26th and California.

Jones was a basketball coach at EPIC Academy Charter High School, 8255 S. Houston Ave. The school's attorney, Cindy Hansen, said in a statement, "as of January 18, 2013, Mr. Jones is no longer employed or affiliated with Epic." Because it was a personnel matter, Hansen could not say whether Jones was fired or resigned after the charges were filed. Hansen said Jones was a coach, but not a teacher at the school.

Jones is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl inside a vehicle in the 8500 block of South Green Bay Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17, police said.

A second 17-year-old girl exited the vehicle and left the scene, police said.

"As Mr. Jones was not a teacher in the school on a regular basis, but was employed only as a coach, it is not anticipated that Mr. Jones' departure should cause any disruption to the education of EPIC students," Hansen said. "However, additional supports have been put in place and will continue to be available to students, if needed."

She added, "EPIC Academy takes the safety of its students very seriously. If concerns are ever brought to the attention of school administrators about the safety and well-being of its students, the administration takes all actions available to them. Such has occurred in this case."
 

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