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player ready...Steven Habay, the former Highland Park High School substitute teacher accused of cyberstalking and possessing child pornography, was again in front of a judge Monday morning seeking more freedom of movement as he awaits trial.
Habay has been on home confinement at his parents’ residence in Highland Park and asked a Lake County judge Monday if he can travel with his parents to Florida for a month starting in January.
Judge Daniel Shanes, who already denied Habay’s request to leave his house for short intervals, indicated he would not be amenable to the travel request either but said Habay’s parents’ travel plans put the judge “in a quandary” since they won’t be in town to supervise Habay.
Supervision is “good for you and makes the community safe,” Shanes said.
Habay was arrested in May on charges of felony cyberstalking and misdemeanor electronic harassment after authorities alleged that, after the school decided to stop hiring him as a substitute teacher, he posted “disparaging rants” on a website that he maintained for student assignments, authorities have said.
In July, Habay was also charged with possession of child pornography that authorities said was found on his computer while they investigated the earlier allegations. Officials said the images were of children older than 13 and did not involve any Highland Park High students.
In court Monday, the judge also asked Habay if he has continued psychological treatment. Habay said he had been going once a week but now is going once every three weeks because he can’t afford more regular treatment.
“If I order you to (receive treatment), the financials are not my concern,” Shanes said. “The other option is jail or prison.”
Defense attorney Gregory Nikitas asked for some time to present other options regarding Habay’s supervision. He is due back in court next week.