Aurora Teacher Jessica Bergmann Charged with Sexual Misconduct Involving Former Student She Coached

 

An Aurora, Illinois middle school teacher and soccer coach has been arrested and charged for allegedly engaging in an unlawful sexual relationship with a former student she coached.

Jessica Bergmann, 34, a math teacher at Washington Middle School, was taken into custody after authorities received a tip last month from a concerned community member who reported frequently seeing a teenage boy visiting Bergmann’s home at night, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say Bergmann first knew the student when he was in middle school and playing on her soccer team. The two later reconnected while the boy was in high school, where they allegedly began communicating by phone and text before the relationship turned sexual.

Investigators allege the teen, now 17, visited Bergmann’s home multiple times and sometimes stayed overnight.

Bergmann has been charged with:

• Criminal Sexual Assault in a Position of Authority

• Two Counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in a Position of Authority

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called the case a serious breach of trust.

“Teachers are entrusted with our students’ wellbeing. They are given the responsibility to guide and protect — not exploit,” Berlin said. “This alleged abuse of authority will be met with the full force of the law.”

Although prosecutors requested that she be held without release, a judge ordered Bergmann freed under the conditions that she have no contact with the victim and no contact with anyone under age 18.

She is scheduled to appear in court December 1.

The investigation remains ongoing.