Plainfield Central teacher charged with sexually assaulting student

A Plainfield Central High School science teacher is being held in Will County jail on $600,000 bail, accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female student.

Officials allege first-year teacher Brian Smith, 32, of Joliet, gave the girl answers to both tests and homework assignments in exchange for oral sex on Feb. 13 in a storage room adjacent Smith's classroom.

A statement on Plainfield Community Consolidated District 202's website says Smith was arrested Thursday and has been banned from school grounds and been directed to have no contact with school staff or students pending determination of his employment status by the superintendent and the board of education.

District officials say a substitute teacher has assumed Smith's teaching duties since early Monday. Counseling services will be available to students needing assistance beginning on Monday, March 2.

Prosecutors said Smith faces between 4 and 15 years in prison if convicted. HIs next court date in Will County was not immediately available in online court records.