Former Hinsdale Central Teacher Sentenced To 6 Years For Sexually Assaulting Student

A Hinsdale Central High School teacher who was accused of sexually assaulting a student six years ago was sentenced Friday to six years in prison, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced.

James Bryla, 31, entered a plea of guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault in court Friday morning, Berlin said in a release. He’d previously been out on a $300,000 bond and will start serving his sentence immediately.

Abuse allegations came to light in 2015 when Bryla was reportedly texting another student inappropriately. It was then discovered that back in April of 2011, Bryla convinced a 16-year-old student to meet him at a park after school, where “inappropriate sexual contact” took place in his car.

The abuse victim came forward about her history with the Bryla when police opened his investigation two years ago, Berlin said.

Bryla was taken into custody April 24, 2015, for the alleged assault and posted bond the same day.

“James Bryla took advantage of his position as a teacher and a mentor to sexually abuse a 16-year-old girl just to satisfy his own sick sexual desires,” Berlin said in the release. “In doing so, he not only took advantage of the trust his victim had placed in him, he also took advantage of the trust placed in him by his victim’s parents, the school and the community. Today, Mr. Bryla learned that this betrayal will cost him six years behind bars where he will be unable to sexually abuse young girls.”

Bryla will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He’ll also have to register as a sex offender for life.

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Mugshot courtesy of the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office