Teen who posted ‘slave for sale’ Craigslist ad of black classmate charged with hate crime

An Illinois high school student who allegedly posted a “slave for sale” ad on Craigslist featuring a picture of his black classmate has been charged with a hate crime.

The male teenager who attends Naperville Central High School in a suburb of Chicago has been charged with two counts of committing a hate crime and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The 14-year-old was in court Wednesday and was not identified by news outlets because he has been charged as a juvenile.

The incident in question took place last week when the student allegedly took a photo of a black classmate seated at his lunch table and posted it online with the caption, “Slave for sale (Naperville),” with a racial slur included in the message.

Prosecutors said the allegations against the student are “serious and aggravating,” adding that the actions put the other student’s safety at risk. The hate crime counts are juvenile felonies and the disorderly charge is a misdemeanor.

Police were notified of the post a few days after it was made and began an investigation.

The student charged is due back in court next month, with the judge ordering that the student and the alleged victim have no contact while both are in school.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to stay as far away as possible while you’re at school,” Judge Anthony Coco told the youth, according to the news outlet.