Teacher From Wheaton Accused Of Sex Assault, Abuse Of Former Washington Middle School Student

WHEATON, IL — A teacher from Wheaton faces felony sex assault and abuse charges after police say she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student while teaching at Washington Middle School in Aurora.

Jessica Bergmann, 34, of the 600 block of South Pierce Avenue, was charged with criminal sexual assault - position of authority, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual abuse - position of authority. She was released from custody under the condition that she does not have contact with the victim or people younger than 18 years old.

Wheaton police were informed in early October of "suspicious incidents involving a minor male and an adult female," per a news release from the City of Wheaton.

Police say Bergmann met the student during her time teaching at Washington Middle School and began communicating with him by text when he was a sophomore before the relationship "turned sexual," the news release said.

Bergmann is accused of having the student come to her home, sometimes staying over, and having sexual intercourse.

“The profound abuse of trust and authority allegedly displayed by Ms. Bergmann is extremely disturbing and will be met with the full force of the law,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “Teachers are entrusted with our students’ wellbeing. They are given the awesome responsibility to guide and protect our students, not to harm or exploit them. A teacher who takes advantage of a student, as alleged in this case, is not only breaking the law, but they are also breaking the trust placed in them by the community, the school and the victim’s family."

Wheaton Police Chief P.J. Youker praised the department's investigators, saying, "“This case is yet another example of outstanding collaborative and investigative work by Wheaton’s detectives."

Bergmann is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 1.