Ex-Teacher Given 50 Year Sentence For Molesting Students

A former middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting two students in his northern Illinois classroom has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Forty-two-year-old Michael Vucic of Lake Forest, who taught at Gavin South Middle School in Ingleside, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty in September to predatory criminal sexual assault. Although he claimed the sex was consensual, impact statements by both female students described the mental and emotional damage caused by his actions.

After a warrant was issued for his arrest last August, Vucic fled to Bosnia, prompting an international manhunt. He eventually was captured and extradited to Lake County.

Three other teachers are charged with failing to report the sexual abuse. Two of them pleaded guilty and the third is scheduled for trial Thursday.