Former Hinsdale Central teacher sentenced to 6 years for sexual abuse

A former Hinsdale Central High School teacher has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual assault involving a former student.

James Bryla, 31, of the 1800 block of Hampton Lane in Yorkville, pleaded guilty Friday before DuPage County Judge Robert Miller. Bryla, who had been out on $300,000 bond, will begin serving his sentence immediately.

The sentencing stems from April 2011 and allegations that Bryla convinced his victim, then a 16-year-old female student, to meet him at a park after school where they engaged in sexual contact inside Bryla's vehicle.

The abuse came to light in 2015, when the defendant was being investigated for inappropriate texting/grooming behavior with another student. During that investigation, the victim in the previous case came forward.

Bryla was taken into custody on April 24, 2015, and posted bond that same day.

"James Bryla took advantage of his position as a teacher and a mentor to sexually abuse a 16-year-old girl just to satisfy his own sick sexual desires," DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "In doing so, he not only took advantage of the trust his victim had placed in him, he also took advantage of the trust placed in him by his victim's parents, the school and the community. Today Mr. Bryla learned that this betrayal will cost him six years behind bars where he will be unable to sexually abuse young girls."

Bryla will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.