Former Hinsdale Central teacher charged with sexual abuse

A former Hinsdale Central High School technology teacher is being held on $300,000 bail after he was charged with sexually abusing a former student.

James Bryla, 29, of the 1800 block of Hampton Lane in Yorkville, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault.

During Bryla's bond hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Mike Pawl said Bryla persuaded a 16-year-old girl to meet him at an Elmhurst park after school on at least two separate occasions in April 2011.

"The first time they talked and he fondled her hair. He kissed her and that made her uncomfortable, so she left the park," Pawl said. "He convinced her to come to the park a second time, and this time she was on a picnic table. He had a guitar, played her favorite song, and he reached over and kissed her."

Pawl said the sexual assault also occurred at this time. The girl stopped the assault and tried to leave, but Bryla persuaded her to get in his car, where he assaulted her again before she left the park, Pawl said.

The former student, now 20, contacted the Hinsdale Police Department in December 2014 and reported the inappropriate contact, authorities said. Hinsdale police contacted the DuPage County Children's Center, which initiated an investigation, including of two court-authorized telephone recordings where Bryla tells the victim she is the only student he had sex with, authorities said.

Pawl said while the investigation was going on, in December 2014, the children's center was contacted by a 15-year-old female student who told officers she was receiving emails and texts from Bryla that made her uncomfortable.

Hinsdale District 86 Superintendent Bruce Law sent an email to parents about the most recent allegations as soon as charges were announced Friday.

"James Bryla is the same individual who was placed on leave in December 2014 for a separate incident. As you may remember from my letter at the time, a student approached a member of Hinsdale Central building administration to report inappropriate communications between a fellow student and a teacher," Law wrote. "We investigated the report immediately, put Bryla on leave and escorted him out of the building before the end of that school day. Bryla resigned his position the next school day."

Bryla was arrested Friday afternoon. Wearing a blue Cubs T-shirt, Bryla told the judge he was unsure whether he would be able to post bail. If convicted, he faces between seven and 20 years in prison on the charges.

Bryla's next court appearance is scheduled for May 4, 2015.