Aaron and Andre Richmond, identical twins and former teachers, are accused in separate cases tied to the south suburban high school district.
LANSING, IL — Identical twin brothers who worked as math teachers and wrestling coaches in Thornton Fractional High School District 215 are jailed on separate charges alleging sexual assaults of students, authorities and court records say. Aaron Richmond was charged in late 2024 in a case involving a 16-year-old. His brother, Andre, was arrested Jan. 6, 2026, in a case that includes child pornography counts.
District 215 includes Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing and Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City. The brothers resigned from their jobs on the same day in June 2024, according to district records. The cases have stirred anger among parents and prompted questions about the district’s handling of warnings. One student’s attorney says administrators were alerted to concerns about Andre well before his arrest; the district says it is aware of the criminal cases but has declined to comment further while the matters are pending.
Police in Glenwood arrested Aaron Richmond on Dec. 5, 2024, after a 16-year-old reported he picked her up from home in March 2024, took her to his former residence in Glenwood and assaulted her, then drove her to a school sporting event. The student disclosed the allegation to family that spring, and the case was forwarded to investigators. Prosecutors later brought aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual assault charges. Aaron, then 31 and a former wrestling coach at Thornton Fractional South, was indicted and scheduled for arraignment in January 2025. His attorneys have since declined public comment. He remains in custody while the prosecution proceeds, according to court records.
More than a year after Aaron’s arrest, Lansing police booked Andre Richmond on Jan. 6, 2026, on counts of criminal sexual assault and child pornography. Investigators allege Andre abused two geometry students at different times: one during the 2021–22 school year at a motel, where authorities say he recorded encounters; and another student repeatedly in spring and summer 2024, including episodes alleged to have occurred during class time on campus. In September, a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the students accuses the district of failing to heighten supervision or screening of Andre after Aaron’s charges became public. “It’s a terrible case of really dropping the ball,” attorney Zane Smith said, adding that he believes there could be additional victims. Andre’s attorney said it is early in the case and he will fully investigate the allegations.
The twin brothers worked at different campuses within the same district: both taught math and coached wrestling at various times at Thornton Fractional South and North, records show. District documents indicate their resignations were processed in June 2024, weeks after the first student reported Aaron to authorities. A district spokesperson said the administration was aware of the criminal cases involving both men but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigations. Smith, who represents the more recent student accuser in Andre’s case, said classmates and a boyfriend of a prior accuser provided tips to school officials as early as January 2023. He said Andre was assigned duties as a “student safety monitor” in spring 2023 rather than being suspended pending an inquiry. The district has not addressed those assertions in public statements.
The allegations have renewed scrutiny of how suburban school districts respond when employees face accusations of misconduct. Records and prior news reports show Aaron’s arrest became public in early December 2024 and was followed weeks later by a felony indictment. For Andre, police say the January 2026 arrest stemmed from interviews with students and the review of digital evidence that allegedly shows recordings of sexual activity with a minor. Prosecutors have not detailed how many videos they recovered or where the recordings were stored. Authorities have not announced additional arrests. Court filings do not indicate whether the brothers are represented by the same law firm or whether their criminal cases will intersect beyond employment overlaps.
Legal proceedings are in early stages. Aaron faces aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse counts in Cook County stemming from the March 2024 incident. Andre faces criminal sexual assault and child pornography charges tied to alleged conduct in 2021–22 and 2024. Bond and detention details for the brothers were not immediately available in public dockets Monday, but both were described as “behind bars” following arrest announcements and charging updates. Prosecutors have not indicated if additional counts are anticipated in Andre’s case; filings could be amended as forensic reviews finish. A September civil complaint naming Andre and District 215 remains pending in Cook County Circuit Court.
Outside Thornton Fractional South this week, a handful of parents waited in cars during dismissal, trading updates and expressing frustration that the twins’ resignations did not end the matter sooner. “We send our kids here to learn, not to be scared,” said Veronica Johnson, a parent of a junior, who said she wants clearer timelines from the district. A senior who wrestled as a freshman said rumors spread fast when police cars appeared near the gym in 2024. “It messed with people’s trust,” he said. In Lansing, a neighbor near the high school said extra patrols have been visible since winter break. Those on campus described counselors checking in with classes where the accused once taught.
As of Tuesday, investigators had not announced further arrests or identified additional student complainants by name. The district reiterated that it is cooperating with law enforcement and declined to discuss personnel decisions beyond confirming the June 2024 resignations. Court calendars list routine status conferences over the coming weeks. The next major milestone is expected when prosecutors outline discovery materials in Andre Richmond’s case and when a judge sets any preliminary hearing dates. Civil attorneys say they will seek district records, including internal emails and tip reports, in the parallel lawsuit.
Author note: Last updated January 21, 2026.