A longtime baseball coach and educator at Nashville Community High School is now facing multiple felony charges after an investigation by state and local authorities led to his arrest this week.
Chad Erich Malawy, 54, of Nashville, Illinois, was booked into the Washington County Jail on June 29, 2026, at 2:19 p.m. Jail records list him at 5 feet 8 inches tall, 170 pounds, with green eyes and blond hair.
He is being held on charges including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and obstruction of justice for allegedly attempting to destroy evidence.
According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Malawy faces one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, both Class 1 felonies that carry up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted.
He was also charged with two counts of solicitation to obstruct justice and two counts of attempted obstruction of justice, both Class A misdemeanors.
Case Stems From Joint Investigation
The charges follow an investigation carried out by the Attorney General’s Office alongside the Nashville Police Department, with the Illinois State Police providing forensic evidence collection and analysis.
Officials say anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact Special Investigator Cloee Frank at 217-843-0347.
Malawy had worked as a baseball coach at Nashville Community High School, where he was placed on administrative leave in May, weeks before his arrest became public.
Freelance journalist Sarah Boyles reported that she spoke with two women who say they were among Malawy’s earliest alleged victims from years ago, identified only as Samantha and Hannah to protect their privacy while assisting the public in searching for related coverage.
Boyles noted for readers outside the area that his last name is pronounced Muh-Lah-vee.
District Says It Is Cooperating With Investigators
Nashville Community High School District 99 confirmed in a statement dated May 27 that it had been made aware of a pending investigation involving one of its employees.
The district said the staff member was placed on administrative leave effective May 25, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Superintendent Brad Turner said the district would cooperate fully with law enforcement as the case moves forward, while declining further comment because the investigation remains active.
Malawy remains in custody at the Washington County Jail as the case proceeds through the court system. No additional charges or updates have been confirmed at this time, though officials indicated more information could be released as the investigation continues.
As with any pending criminal matter, an arrest does not equal a conviction, and Malawy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges can be amended, reduced, or dismissed as the case moves forward, and this story will be updated if new developments emerge from the Washington County courthouse or from investigators handling the case.
Community members with questions about the investigation or the school district’s response are encouraged to reach out directly to Nashville CHSD 99 or to the Attorney General’s Office for verified updates rather than relying solely on social media posts.