Former Aurora East employee charged in sex assault

A 31-year-old Aurora man who worked for 10 weeks for East Aurora High School as a truancy liaison has been charged with six counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of battery related to improper contact with two students, authorities said.

Jose Corona, of the 1300 block of South Glen Court, started working for the district on Aug. 27 and resigned on Thursday after the allegations came to light, school officials said. He was a noncertified staff member who worked with students who are in danger of becoming chronically truant. Neither of the victims were involved with his truancy work, officials said.

Inappropriate contact with a student was reported to an East Aurora High School staff member on Oct. 22, school officials said. Corona was put on paid leave the same day and the Aurora Police were contacted. On Monday, a second student reported inappropriate contact, according to school officials. That incident also was reported to police.

Prosecutors said the first case of inappropriate contact with a minor resulted in the misdemeanor charge. It was the second report that led to the more serious charges.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigated the second report, which involved allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a victim younger than 18, with the help of Kane County Child Advocacy Center and Aurora Police. The felony charges reflect that Corona was in a position of trust and/or authority over the victim, prosecutors said. Corona was employed by the school district during the time of all of the unlawful activity, they said.

Corona was arrested Friday and appeared in Kane County bond court Saturday. Bail was set at $100,000. Corona must post $10,000 to be released. His next court appearance is set for Nov. 19 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Both prosecutors and school officials asked that anyone who has further information about these incidents, or other incidents, contact their local police, Aurora Police at (630) 256-5500, or the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160. Any students who feel that they need help at school should talk to a school staff member, school officials said.