School security guard accused of sexually assaulting student

CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago Public Schools security guard is being held in lieu of $300,000 bond for allegedly having sex repeatedly with a girl who was a student at the school where he worked.

Ivan Cotto is charged with criminal sexual assault for engaging in sexual acts with the victim on five different occasions between May 2015 and January 2016. The Cook County State's attorney's office indicates two of the assaults took place at Brentano Elementary Math and Science Academy, where the 29-year-old Cotto worked.

Chicago schools spokesman Michael Passman says Cotto was suspended from his job last week and the district is cooperating with law enforcement.

Prosecutors say the victim's mother last month discovered sexually explicit text messages from Cotto and the victim on the victim's cellphone and informed authorities.

It wasn't immediately known if Cotto has obtained legal representation.