Retired W. Aurora teacher charged with child porn production

A retired West Aurora High School math teacher is accused of producing child pornography and soliciting a minor for sex, prosecutors said Friday.

Robert J. James, 61, of the 1600 block of Garfield Avenue, Aurora, faces two counts of producing child pornography, six counts of possession of child pornography, and one count each of indecent solicitation and sexual exploitation of a child, prosecutors said.

James is accused of producing "multiple images" of child pornography and possessing multiple images of children younger than 13 on Aug. 14, or sometime before then, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said they have no information that the child pornography James is accused of possessing and producing contained any images of West Aurora students, but they noted the investigation is ongoing and that people with additional information should call the Aurora Police Department at (630) 256-5500 or the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160.

James was a math teacher at West Aurora High School from August 1985 until his retirement in June 2014, West Aurora spokesman Tony Martinez said. James also served as the student council adviser.

There is no indication that any West Aurora students were involved with any of the charges, Martinez said. But the district is cooperating with the Child Advocacy Center's investigation, Martinez said.

A message left for Robert Motta II, James' defense attorney, was not immediately returned Friday.

Bail for James was set at $300,000 Friday. He posted $30,000 early Friday evening and was released from the Kane County jail. While released on bail, he is to have no contact with anyone 18 or younger.

James is next due in court on Jan. 15. If convicted of the most severe charge, James faces up to 30 years in prison and must register as a sex offender for the rest of this life.

• Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this story.