A former technology teacher at suburban Hinsdale Central High School has been charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl, who was a student at the school.
James Bryla, 29, was placed on leave in December for a separate incident after a student told school officials about inappropriate communications between Bryla and a fellow student. School officials escorted him out of the building that day, and Bryla resigned the following day, according to a letter sent to parents from the school district.
The 16-year-old girl reported the sex abuse to the Hinsdale Police Department the same month that Bryla resigned, and the DuPage County Children's Center began an investigation. The abuse allegedly occurred in April 2011.
Bryla is accused of luring the girl to a park after school on at least two separate occasions and engaging in appropriate sexual behavior with her at the park and inside his car, according to State's Attorney Robert Berlin.
Bryla was taken into custody Friday and charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of criminal sexual assault. His bond has been set at $300,000.
"As a teacher and mentor, Mr. Bryla held a position of trust and authority over this young girl," Berlin said. "If these allegations are proven true, Mr. Bryla took advantage of the trust placed in him by his victim as well as Hinsdale Central High School just to satisfy his own despicable desires."
