56-year-old man held in custody after posing as basketball coach
Andre Jackson faces felony charges for grooming a 15-year-old boy at the Kroc Center on the Far South Side.
By Andrew Hayes ·
A Chicago judge ordered Andre Jackson, 56, to remain in custody pending trial on October 28. Jackson faces felony charges of indecent solicitation, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and grooming of a minor. Prosecutors allege he used the identity of a basketball coach to target teenage boys at the Kroc Center on the Far South Side.
The investigation centers on a boy who is now 15. Jackson allegedly first contacted the victim in 2024, when the boy was 13. Prosecutors stated that Jackson told the boy he wanted to coach him for an Amateur Athletic Union team. The two exchanged phone numbers after a basketball workout.
According to the prosecution, Jackson sent daily messages to the victim for several months. He described himself as "relentless in his pursuit of this child." Jackson allegedly offered to buy gifts for the boy, though prosecutors said the gifts were never provided. The messages eventually took a sexual tone. Prosecutors cited specific texts in which Jackson wrote, "Told you I'm going to make you love me" and "I'm going to massage you naked."
Jackson also asked the reluctant victim, "You ready to start showing your body?" The victim's mother became aware of the relationship in August. She allegedly overheard her son speaking with Jackson on the phone and contacted police. Authorities arrested Jackson on Monday.
Witnesses interviewed during the investigation told prosecutors they had never seen Jackson coach. They noted that he frequently wore a Kroc Center shirt while spending time around the facility. Jackson wore the same shirt during his court appearance. The judge also cited his criminal history, which includes a 2017 battery charge involving a hospital patient, the sexual abuse of an 18-year-old woman in 2000, and a 1999 allegation that he offered a 13-year-old boy money to remove his clothes in a locker room.
The Salvation Army issued a statement acknowledging the incident involving a former employee of The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. The organization said it is working with authorities and remains committed to providing a safe experience for area youth. Chicago police are asking potential victims to call (312) 492-3810. Jackson is scheduled to return to court on November 18.
Prosecutors believe Jackson may have attempted to groom other children while posing as a coach. The investigation is ongoing as police review evidence from the Far South Side facility.
