At a Glance
- Two-week edition covering late October and early November 2025.
- Educators and youth coaches dominated: arrests/charges for sexual assault and CSAM.
- Two Texas law-enforcement officers arrested in related ICAC probe; one federally indicted for CSAM production.
- Colorado worship pastor and former teacher charged with sexually assaulting a minor student.
- Pattern continues: most new cases involve people not previously registered.
We tag registry status to document how often new cases involve people not previously registered — evidence that prevention requires more than public registries.
New Arrests & Charges
🏫 Jessica Bergmann— Middle-school teacher, Washington MS (Aurora, IL)Nov 7, 2025
Jurisdiction: Illinois / DuPage CountyArrested / ChargedRegistry: No prior registration noted
Charged with felony criminal sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse of a former student while in a position of authority.
⛪ Matthew McGinley— Former worship pastor & teacher (Fort Collins, CO)Nov 2025
Jurisdiction: Colorado / Larimer CountyArrested / ChargedRegistry: No prior registration noted
Allegedly sexually assaulted a minor student while in a position of trust; reportedly confessed to church leaders before arrest.
🚓 Skylar Laza— Sheriff’s Deputy (Houston County, TX)Nov 5–6, 2025
Jurisdiction: Texas / Eastern DistrictArrested / Indicted (Federal)Registry: No prior registration noted
Arrested after an NCMEC cyber-tip; charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and federally indicted for CSAM production.
🚔 Kenan Laza— Police Officer (Gladewater, TX)Nov 6, 2025
Jurisdiction: TexasArrested / ChargedRegistry: No prior registration noted
Charged with indecency with a child by exposure; case connected to the Houston County deputy through an ICAC task-force investigation.
📚 Chad Beery— Teacher (Mesquite Academy, Mesquite ISD, TX)Nov 2025
Jurisdiction: Texas / Rockwall CountyArrested / ChargedRegistry: No prior registration noted
Arrested on two felony child-pornography charges; district suspended him without pay pending trial.
🏀 Eric Courts— Youth basketball coach (Adidas Legacy Program, Chicago)Nov 5, 2025
Jurisdiction: Illinois / Cook CountyArrested / ChargedRegistry: No prior registration noted
Charged with solicitation and possession of CSAM after coercing a 17-year-old player to send sexual videos in exchange for gear.
Pleas / Convictions / Sentencings
⚖️ Lindsey Whiteside— Former youth pastor & school coach (Hernando, MS)Oct 13, 2025
Jurisdiction: Mississippi / DeSoto CountySentencedRegistry: No prior registration noted
Pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor girl; sentenced to 3 years house arrest + 7 years probation, a leniency criticized by prosecutors who sought prison time.
Watchlist
- Bergmann (IL): monitor Dec 1 court appearance and any plea.
- Skylar & Kenan Laza (TX): federal/state proceedings; watch for additional counts or identified victims.
- Texas educator arrests (Beery): track TEA/administrative actions alongside criminal case.
- Community responses to clergy/coach cases as court calendars progress.
Disclaimer
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Registry status reflects what’s publicly reported in official documents or mainstream coverage; absence of mention is not definitive.