Marion High teacher pleads not guilty to 18 theft counts in case tied to the school's Home Depot account

A Marion High School teacher accused of walking out of the Marion Home Depot with nearly $6,000 in merchandise pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Lester James, 59, of Carbondale, teaches building trades at the high school. He now faces 18 counts of retail theft, according to Heartland News.

What is he accused of?

Police say James took $5,956.26 worth of merchandise and fraudulent refunds over the summer.

The probable cause affidavit lists 22 different visits where he allegedly stole goods or got a refund he shouldn't have, The Southern Illinoisan reported.

One detail stands out. Investigators say James used the school's Home Depot PRO account as the building trades instructor, as well as his own personal PRO account.

What did police say he took?

The affidavit lists the items, according to Heartland News. They include:

• A Bosch laser level
• A sump well
• Paint, rollers and concrete tools
• Shims, molding, sill sealer and builders paper
• A tool kit and NuTone items

Could it be bigger than $5,956?

Possibly. Store security footage only goes back 90 days.

The affidavit says it is suspected the thefts had been going on "for a much longer period," according to The Southern Illinoisan. No figure beyond the $5,956.26 has been released.

How did it start?

Marion police arrested James on Tuesday, Sept. 29, after an asset protection employee at the store reported ongoing thefts.

At first he was charged with six counts of retail theft, a Class 3 felony. He was granted pretrial release the next day in Williamson County court.

What does the school say?

Marion Unit 2 School District put James on administrative leave while the case plays out.

"We are naturally concerned by the report of the arrest and the serious allegations that took place outside of school," the district said in a statement.

The district said it could not comment on the investigation or prosecution.

What about the student-built homes?

James leads the building trades program that has been building homes in Marion's Midway Court neighborhood with the City of Marion. Two are finished and more are in progress.

It is not known whether any materials from Home Depot were used on those homes, The Southern Illinoisan reported.

What happens next?

James is due back in court on Jan. 4, 2027.

Charges are allegations, not proof. James is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.