Williamson County judge orders home confinement for former football coach

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — A former Carterville football coach charged in a criminal sexual abuse investigation pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was granted pretrial release under strict court-ordered conditions.

John “Jake” Wakey appeared in Williamson County court on nine counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving minors allegedly connected to the Carterville football program between 2013 and 2015.

Judge Michelle Schafer ordered Wakey released under conditions that include GPS electronic monitoring and home confinement at his parents’ home in Herscher, Illinois.

Court records show prosecutors sought to have Wakey detained pending trial. The court found the charges qualified as a detainable offense and considered whether Wakey posed “a real and present threat to a person or community,” but ultimately determined less restrictive conditions could be imposed.

According to court records, the judge cited Wakey’s lack of prior criminal history and no documented history of violent or abusive behavior, along with information included in a pretrial services investigation report.

Wakey waived a formal reading of the charges and entered a not guilty plea through his attorney.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office previously said investigators have identified eight potential victims connected to the broader investigation. Authorities also said multiple additional persons of interest remain under investigation involving incidents allegedly occurring between 2013 and 2023.

Wakey was arrested last week near Pontiac, Illinois, before being extradited to Williamson County.

Court records show Wakey’s next pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 24 at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 7 and is expected to be conducted virtually.

The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.