The quiet suburban streets of La Grange, Illinois, were shaken this week by the arrest of a man who once graced television screens in the 1990s and early 2000s, now accused of heinous crimes against a young student. William Schaub, a 56-year-old English teacher at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, was taken into custody on Thursday, April 3, 2025, during a routine traffic stop near his home. The charges leveled against him—aggravated criminal sexual abuse and grooming—paint a disturbing picture of a trusted educator allegedly exploiting his position to prey on a vulnerable female student. For a community that prides itself on safety and excellence, the news has sent ripples of shock and dismay through Naperville, a city often lauded as one of America’s best places to live.
The allegations first came to light on March 7, when school officials at Neuqua Valley High School received an anonymous tip suggesting an inappropriate relationship between Schaub and a student. Acting swiftly, the Indian Prairie School District 204 launched an internal investigation and placed Schaub on administrative leave, while simultaneously alerting the Naperville Police Department. What followed was a meticulous probe, conducted in collaboration with the Will County Child Advocacy Center, that uncovered a trail of evidence spanning several months. Investigators discovered a series of electronic messages exchanged between Schaub and the student, beginning in November 2024 and continuing through March 2025. These communications, described by authorities as “inappropriate,” were compounded by evidence of physical contact between the two in December 2024, further deepening the gravity of the accusations.
Schaub, who has resided in La Grange for the past 15 years, is no stranger to the spotlight. Before transitioning to a career in education, he pursued acting, appearing in popular television shows such as *Will & Grace* and *Alias*, as well as films like *Executive Decision* and *17 Again*. His move to the Chicago suburbs marked a shift from Hollywood to the classroom, where he began teaching at Neuqua Valley in 2013 after passing a criminal background check. Over the years, he became a fixture in the school’s English department and even took on roles in its theater program, including serving as associate director for a student play in November 2024. To many, he was a respected figure—until the allegations surfaced, shattering that perception.
The charges against Schaub are severe. He faces one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse classified as a Class 1 felony, another as a Class 2 felony, and a Class 4 felony count of grooming. These accusations suggest a calculated pattern of behavior, with grooming implying an intent to build trust with the student for illicit purposes. Following his arrest, Schaub was transported to the Will County Jail, where he awaits his first court appearance, scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2025. The Naperville Police Department has stated that, as of now, there is no evidence to suggest additional victims, though the investigation remains ongoing.
For the students and families of Neuqua Valley High School, the news has been a devastating blow. The district has responded by offering support services to students, emphasizing that their safety remains the top priority. In a statement, officials expressed gratitude for the cooperation of law enforcement and the Child Advocacy Center, underscoring their commitment to fully assisting the investigation. Yet, beneath the formal response lies a palpable sense of betrayal—a teacher, entrusted with shaping young minds, now stands accused of exploiting that trust in the most egregious way.
Schaub’s past as an actor adds an unsettling layer to the story. Once a familiar face on screen, he traded the glitz of Hollywood for a quieter life in education, only to now face allegations that could define his legacy in a far darker light. As the legal process unfolds, the community of Naperville grapples with the fallout, questioning how such behavior could go unnoticed and what measures can prevent it in the future. For now, the focus remains on the victim—a young student whose life has been irrevocably altered—and the pursuit of justice in a case that has turned a place of learning into a scene of scandal.