Urbana Schools Asst Superintendent arraigned on eavesdropping charge –

URBANA, IL. (ECWd) –

Samuel J. Byndom, Assistant Superintendent of Schools at Urbana School District 116, was charged earlier this month with eavesdropping.

In previous reports, it was alleged that he purchased a voice activated ink pen and placed it in the closed session meeting room of the School Board prior to their meeting.

Judge Olmstead presided:

• Champaign County 18-CF-1595 – Charge of Eavesdropping, that he intentionally, on October 28, used an eavesdropping device to surreptitiously record all or part of a private conversation in which he was not a party. Mainly a closed meeting of the Urbana School Board.
• Possible penalties are Class 4 Felony with a maximum of 3 years in prison, a fine, and /or probation.
• Defendant requested a preliminary Hearing
• Preliminary Hearing set for December 18, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom B (3rd floor)
• Recognizance Bond set at $3000

Prior to this arraignment, the Court permitted Extended Media Coverage.

Video below:

Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.

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