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Man Arrested for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse
On January 28, 2026, the Orland Park Police Department arrested Brett Smith, 43, following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a juvenile and the advertising of private tutoring services on social media.
Smith turned himself in at the Orland Park Police Department after detectives attempted to locate him at his residence.
The investigation began after parents hired a tutor who identified himself as “BJ S. McAuliffe” to provide tutoring services for their juvenile child.
The parents later became concerned when the name associated with a requested bank payment appeared as Brett Smith.
The parents conducted an online search of Brett Smith, also known as Brett Zagorac, and located publicly available news articles and videos from other states referencing prior allegations involving children. The parents then contacted the Orland Park Police Department, prompting a criminal investigation.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Brett Zagorac legally changed his name to Brett Smith and utilized several aliases, including BJ S., BJ Smith, and BJ S. McAuliffe, when advertising tutoring services. Following an extensive investigation, detectives established probable cause that Smith engaged in sexual contact with a juvenile.
Detectives worked in coordination with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Persons Unit, and Smith was charged with the following offense:
- Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Class 1 Felony
Smith will be transported to the Bridgeview Courthouse on January 30, 2026 where he will appear for first appearance court.
The Orland Park Police Department is requesting that anyone who believes they, their child, or a child under their care may have been a victim of Brett Smith contact the law enforcement agency where the incident occurred.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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