Ex-Wheaton North teacher gets 10 years for sexually assaulting student
Former Wheaton North High School teacher Edwin Klemm was sentenced to a decade in prison Wednesday for having sexual encounters with a student, including in a classroom and movie theaters.
Klemm, 43, of St. Charles, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal sexual assault and was sentenced by DuPage County Judge George Bakalis, according to prosecutors.
The longtime English teacher and former speech team coach was charged in March after the parents of the victim came forward with a love letter Klemm wrote to the girl. Authorities said an ensuing investigation revealed Klemm had repeated sexual contact with her between February and November 2011, when she was 16 and 17 years old and an upperclassman.
Prosecutors said some of the encounters took place in a Wheaton North classroom. He also admitted having sexual contact with the girl at movie theaters, public areas, in his vehicle and, on at least one occasion, inside his home while his daughter was there.
“Edwin Klemm abused his authority in a most revolting way,” State's Attorney Bob Berlin said. “He took advantage of a young girl just to satisfy his own sick desires.”
Klemm, who had no prior criminal history, resigned from the school speech team in May 2011. Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 suspended him without pay after his arrest, pending the outcome of the case.
Klemm had been held on $600,000 bail since his arrest and could have faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted at trial. By law, he must be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life and serve at least 8½ years before he's eligible for parole, authorities said. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Berlin credited the DuPage County Children's Center and Wheaton police for the investigation that led to Klemm's arrest and thanked Wheaton North for its cooperation.
“Today, (Klemm's) devious ways have caught up to him as he accepts responsibility for the pain he caused this young victim,” Berlin said.