GLENBARD SOUTH STUDENT SENTENCED TO NINETY DAYS FOR PUSHING TEACHER

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Maurice Cullum, 17, (d.o.b. 2/20/1991), of Glen Ellyn, has been sentenced to ninety days in the DuPage County Jail as the result of an altercation at Glenbard South High School.  On July 22 2008, Cullum entered a plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Battery to a school employee, a Class 3 Felony, in front of Judge Kathryn Creswell.    

Today’s sentencing stems from an incident that occurred at the high school on May 22, 2008 at approximately 7:40 a.m. before classes had started.  The victim in this case, an employee of the high school, responded to an altercation between Cullum and another student.  Upon her arrival at the disturbance, the victim attempted to separate Cullum and the other student.  Cullum however, threw the victim to the ground several times as she tried to separate the two students.  The victim sustained minor injuries. 

  “With the beginning of the school year just weeks away, it is important that we do all we can to ensure that our schools are as safe as possible, for students and teachers alike,” commented Birkett.  “It is indeed unfortunate any time violence enters the school.  If teachers and students fear for their own personal safety while at school our entire educational system suffers.  Teachers will not be able to concentrate on their lessons and students will not be able to concentrate on their studies.”

In addition to his jail sentence, Cullum was also sentenced to 30 months probation, 120 hours of community service and ordered to obtain a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

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