Edwardsville, IL (KSDK) - A former YMCA employee has pleaded guilty to having inappropriate sexual contact with children, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office said Friday.
According to court documents, Kassidy Kueper was accused in 2011 of touching two young girls when he worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA in Edwardsville.
In the first case, filed April 29, 2011, prosecutors said Kueper touched the breast and thigh of a 9-year-old during summer camp. The second incident, filed June 6, 2011, involved an 8-year-old girl, who told police Kueper intentionally touched her on the buttocks.
Kassidy Kueper's trial was slated to begin June 11, but he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual abuse. He was sentenced to two and a half years of probation, the maximum amount allowed, required to register as a sex offender, and must undergo sex offender counseling and treatment while having no contact with the victims.
Kueper's conviction prohibits him from ever gaining employment as a teacher or working with children.
Prosecutors said they accept Kassidy Kueper's plea after discussing the matter with the victims' families. Because of Kueper's plea, the children will not have to testify in open court. Prosecutors told the families that even if Kueper was convicted in a trial, there would be no guarantee of prison time, since probation is counted when the defendant has no criminal history.
