A Chicago Public Schools teacher charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl over a four-month period this year at a South Side school was ordered held without bond Friday.
Anthony Frontera, 53, was arrested about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Douglas Avenue in Elgin, according to Chicago Police.
Police said Frontera sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl multiple times between Jan. 1 and May 11. He was charged with two counts of felony criminal sexual assault of a victim between 13 and 17 years old.
A police source said the assault happened at the Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville, 3519 S. Giles Ave.
Roughly two dozen students came to support Frontera at bond court Friday.
Multiple students told NBC 5 they did not believe the teacher would do something like what he as accused of doing.
“This is something Mr. Fontera wouldn’t do,” said student Jalen Harris said. “He just taught me so much knowledge and—just how he came off to me—I wouldn’t think he’s that kind of person to do something like that.
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Frontera, of the Belmont Heights neighborhood, was listed in a Chicago Public Schools employee position roster published in March, and a website for the Chicago Military Academy lists Frontera as a physics teacher.
“Anthony Frontera was removed from his teaching position earlier this month after CPS investigators discovered he was potentially harming a student,” CPS spokesman Michael Passman said in a statement.
”CPS notified the proper authorities when the allegations arose, and we are grateful for law enforcement’s quick attention to this matter as we work to support the school community during this difficult time,” Passman said.
The district notified police and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services when the allegations arose, and Frontera was removed from the school on May 12, according to CPS. Crisis support is being provided to the school.
Frontera was expected to appear in court again June 14.
