Chicago high school security guard gave student alcohol before sexually assaulting her: prosecutors

CHICAGO - A security guard at Farragut Career Academy in Little Village has been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student.

Romel Campoverde, 43, met the girl during her freshmen year while he was employed by Chicago Public Schools as a security guard and gave her his Snapchat username, Cook County prosecutors said in court Wednesday.

They began meeting outside of school during her sophomore year, including taking trips to a mall where he bought her shoes and gave her money and inviting her to his home, prosecutors said.

The alleged assault did not occur on the grounds of the school at 2345 S. Christiana Ave.

On June 25, Campoverde took the girl to a McDonald’s and then bought eight cans of a mixed tequila drink, prosecutors said. Campoverde allegedly gave six of the cans to the girl to drink, causing her to become severely intoxicated. He drank the other two.

After driving around, Campoverde brought her to a recreational vehicle parked near Blue Island and 26th Street, where he sexually assaulted her, prosecutors said.

The girl tried to push him away and said no, prosecutors said. She called a friend and told them what happened before Campoverde allegedly drove her home.

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The following day, the girl reported the assault to a worker in an after-school program and police were contacted.

During an interview with authorities, the girl identified Campoverde as the person who assaulted her, prosecutors said.

Romel Campoverde | Chicago police

The girl had been wearing press-on glitter nails on the day of the assault and two of the nails were found in the recreational vehicle when it was searched by police, according to prosecutors.

A sexual assault kit and materials collected from the recreational vehicle were sent out for testing, but the results were still pending Wednesday, prosecutors said.

In a July 7 letter to parents and students, Farragut’s principal said an employee had been removed from the school during an investigation initiated by the Office of the Inspector General.

Campoverde surrendered to police on July 10, according to defense attorney Adam Sheppard, who added his client had strong ties to the community and no criminal background.

Judge Ankur Srivastava set Campoverde’s bail at $100,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the girl, her family or anyone under 18, as well as to go on electronic monitoring if he is released on bond.

Campoverde is expected back in court Aug. 8.