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Police Chief: No Charges Coming Against B-N Cheerleading Coach

exterior of U-High
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WGLT
University High School in Normal.

A University High School cheerleading coach’s alleged comments to a 17-year-old student at a LaSalle County hotel were not criminal and won’t result in any charges, the North Utica police chief said Monday.

Authorities investigated Andrew “Drew” Miller’s alleged comments to the student during a cheer camp stay at Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort in Utica in July. Authorities said the incident involved alleged verbal conduct—not physical—between Miller and the juvenile. No other information was released.

After a two-week investigation, North Utica Police Chief Rodney Damron told WGLT on Friday that it appeared no charges would be filed in the case. A final determination was announced Monday.

“It has been determined that the alleged comments do not constitute commission of a crime,” Damron said in a statement. “No allegations of any significant criminal act were made by the 17-year-old student.”

Miller’s attorney, Tristan Bullington, declined to comment Friday. Messages left with LaSalle County State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly were not immediately returned Friday.

Miller has been on paid administrative leave from his cheer coach position at University High School and his teaching job at Chiddix Junior High School, both in Normal. Unit 5 said the alleged incident in Utica was not connected to his job at Chiddix, where he taught seventh grade and coached track and field. 

U-High assistant cheer coach Natalie Montoney assumed head coaching duties after Miller was put on leave. Parents of cheer students were notified during the week of Sept. 2 in face-to-face meetings. Parents of his Chiddix students were also notified about his being placed on leave. 

With no charges filed, it’s unclear when Miller might be able to return to work. ISU officials declined to comment Friday because it’s a personnel matter. (U-High is an ISU lab school.)

"Mr. Miller remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of ongoing investigations," Unit 5 said in a statement Tuesday.

North Utica police began investigating after receiving a referral from the Normal Police Department, which learned about the alleged incident from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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