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Illinois Teacher Charged in Alleged Sexual Abuse of Former Student Is Released Pretrial

The court ordered pretrial release with a no-contact order after prosecutors sought detention.

Overview

  • DuPage County prosecutors charged Jessica Bergmann, 34, with criminal sexual assault by a person in a position of authority and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
  • Investigators say contact began during the former student's sophomore year through calls and texts, later becoming sexual.
  • Authorities allege the former student often visited Bergmann’s home, where sexual encounters occurred and occasional overnights were reported.
  • Wheaton police opened the case in October; Bergmann was arrested without incident on Nov. 7 and appeared in court on Nov. 8.
  • State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called the alleged conduct a profound abuse of trust and said the case will be pursued forcefully, with the next court date set for Dec. 1.