Former Chicago Salvation Army Community Center Employee Accused of Grooming Teen Through Basketball Coach Persona (Chicago, Illinois)

Andre Jackson, a former employee of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in West Pullman, is accused of posing as a basketball coach to meet with boys and sending inappropriate messages to a teenage boy, according to Cook County prosecutors. Jackson, 56, worked at the Salvation Army-operated community center, which is a popular gathering place for teens. Prosecutors allege he recruited teenagers at the center to play AAU basketball.

Luke Carrington, a basketball player at the facility, said he was surprised by the allegations. “That’s crazy because I just thought he was a basketball coach,” Carrington said. Another player, Demetrius Price, described Jackson as someone who often kept to himself. “I didn’t expect that out of him, but at the same time, he do be like a little creepy, like just lurking, like he would never talk to nobody. He would just be lurking,” Price said.

Prosecutors allege Jackson reconnected with a 15-year-old boy he had first met two years earlier late last year at the community center. Cook County prosecutors said Jackson then texted the teen daily for months. The messages included phrases such as “Told you I’m going to make you love me,” “I’m going to massage you naked,” and “You ready to start showing your body?” Prosecutors also allege Jackson offered to buy the teen basketball shoes and a truck.

The teen’s mother overheard a call between Jackson and her son in August and later read the messages on her child’s phone. The family then contacted the Kroc Center and police. In a statement, the Salvation Army, which operates the center, said it is “aware of an incident involving a former employee.” The organization added that “The well-being of the young people who participate in our programs is of the highest priority.”

A Salvation Army spokesperson declined to say how Jackson was employed at the center or when his employment ended.

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