Former Washington Middle School teacher Jessica Bergmann has been charged with multiple felonies in DuPage County, Illinois, stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a former student, officials announced. Bergmann, 34, was taken into custody on November 7, with charges detailed the following day by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
According to a November 8 news release, the alleged conduct occurred when the former middle school student was in their sophomore year of high school. Authorities say the two began communicating through texts and phone calls before the relationship allegedly turned sexual. The State’s Attorney’s Office alleges the student later visited Bergmann’s home, where the conduct continued.
Prosecutors charged Bergmann with one count of Criminal Sexual Assault – Position of Authority (Class 1 Felony), one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Position of Authority (Class 1 Felony), and one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony). As of publication, it appears Bergmann has not yet entered a plea. A court appearance is scheduled for December 1 before Judge Margaret O’Connell.
What Authorities Allege
In the charging documents summarized by the State’s Attorney’s Office, investigators say the communications between Bergmann and the former student began innocuously before escalating. The alleged relationship is said to have begun while the student was still in high school and continued at Bergmann’s residence, where the student reportedly stayed overnight on multiple occasions.
The charges emphasize the "position of authority" component — a key factor in Illinois law when the accused is alleged to have used a position of trust or power to facilitate misconduct. In this case, while the student was no longer in Bergmann’s middle school class, prosecutors say the teacher-student dynamic and prior connection are central to the allegations.
Authorities have not released the identity of the former student, who is considered a victim in the case. No additional details about how the investigation began were provided in the public release.
Official Statements Condemn Abuse Of Trust
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin addressed the charges in a sharply worded statement, calling the alleged conduct "extremely disturbing" and a serious breach of professional responsibility. "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," Berlin said.
He continued: "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 Department Chief Princeton Youker praised the collaborative investigation and underscored the department’s commitment to protecting students. "Cases involving alleged abuse by a teacher strike at the core of community trust," Youker said. "This behavior is unacceptable, and the Wheaton Police Department is dedicated to fully investigating any reports involving this allegation, to fully ensure the safety of our community and our children."
Berlin thanked the Wheaton Police Department for its work on the case and recognized the DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center, as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Kelly McKay and Mike Fisher, for their roles in securing charges. Chief Youker likewise credited the Advocacy Center and the State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance, calling the case "another example of outstanding collaborative and investigative work by Wheaton’s detectives."
What Happens Next In Court
Bergmann is expected to appear in DuPage County court on December 1 before Judge Margaret O’Connell. At this stage of the legal process, the State’s Attorney’s Office has outlined charges and the allegations underpinning them, but the case has yet to proceed to a plea or evidentiary hearings. If the case advances, additional filings could further detail the allegations and any evidence prosecutors intend to present.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The State’s Attorney’s Office did not comment further beyond the scope of its written release, and no attorney information for Bergmann was immediately available in the public statement.
This case arrives amid ongoing national conversations about safeguarding students and ensuring robust reporting mechanisms when misconduct is suspected. Authorities in Wheaton emphasized that anyone with relevant information should contact law enforcement. While the public release focused on the specific charges and allegations, officials reiterated a broader message: educators hold a unique responsibility, and any alleged misuse of that role will be investigated and prosecuted.
Screen Rant will continue to follow official updates as the case moves through the Illinois court system.
