Crime & Safety

Former Trainer Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Athlete

Woodridge man was employed at Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville when he was accused of having inappropriate sexually contact with a 16-year-old boy.

A track/triathlon trainer has pleaded guilty to a felony sexual abuse charge stemming from accusations he had sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy at each of their homes and at a Warrenville fitness center where the man worked.


Robert Theodore, 61, of the 3800 block of Hagen Court, Woodridge, pleaded guilty Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, to one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced.


Berlin said Theodore entered a blind plea in the case, meaning there was no sentencing agreement. Theodore’s next court appearance is scheduled Jan. 8, 2014.

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Theodore was charged on Sept. 11, 2012, with having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor boy whom he had been training in track and field. A day later, Theodore posted $25,000 bond of his $250,000 bail and was released on the condition he submit to GPS monitoring and have no contact with the victim or anyone younger than age 18.


Theodore worked as a track/triathlon trainer at Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville, where authorities say he had sexual contact with the victim on several occasions. According to the release from Berlin’s office, the abuse occurred at Theodore’s home, the victim’s home, and at the local gym where Theodore would train the boy.

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“Mr. Theodore’s actions are repulsive,” Berlin said in the release. “He took advantage of the trust this young athlete had placed in him. Instead of trying to bring out the best athletic performance in his young victim, Mr. Theodore, who cared nothing for the boy, used his position as a trusted authority to satisfy his own sick sexual desires.


“I would like to thank this young man for having the courage to come forward. I would like to thank the Naperville Police Department, particularly Investigator Richard Wistocki, for their outstanding work on this case,” Berlin continued. “I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Ann Celine O’Hallaren for her efforts not only on this case, but for her continued work in prosecuting those who would prey on our children.”


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