Bronzeville Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 16-Year-Old Student

By Rachel Cromidas in News on May 26, 2017 8:15PM

A teacher at Bronzeville's Chicago Military Academy has been charged with criminal sexual assault after he allegedly conducted a six-month-long sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl at the school, according to police.

Anthony Frontera, 53, of the 2800 block of North Ottawa Avenue was arrested Wednesday afternoon, and arraigned in the county's criminal court Friday morning. Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. set the bail at $750,000, according to the Tribune, and told Frontera: "These accusations and these facts are egregious, sir. You are a teacher."

Prosecutors said Frontera began his sexual relationship with the girl, who may have been 15 at the time but is now 16, sometime after Nov. 1, 2016. On that day, Frontera allegedly told the girl he wanted to date her. Prosecutors said that Frontera began to regularly sexually assault the girl in his office, and that he would lock his classroom door and draw the shades while they were alone. He also allegedly told the girl's relative, who came to the school on report card pickup day, that she would "make a great wife" and he was "helping [her] become a lady."

The girl reportedly told a friend about the sexual relationship sometime in April. The friend told school administrators about the relationship after Frontera and the girl had a fight. Prosecutors detailed the fight that Frontera, who appears to be a science teacher, reportedly had with the girl on May 9, according to DNAinfo:

Several students witnessed the aftermath of Frontera's May 9 fight with the girl, which happened inside his classroom at 3519 S. Giles Ave., prosecutors said. Coffee was spilled on Frontera's pants, cabinets, table and floor. Broken yardstick pieces were strewn across his desk.

According to [a prosecutor], the girl was limping, and Frontera claimed he spilled coffee when a lab experiment went wrong.

On May 12, Frontera allegedly contacted another teacher while off work to ask the teacher to look for cameras in his office. He admitted to the teacher that he was having a sexual relationship with "someone younger," prosecutors said in court.

Chicago Public Schools officials said in a statement that Frontera was removed from his job earlier this month after investigators determined "he was potentially harming a student." CPS officials notified both police and the Department of Children and Family Services, according to authorities.

Someone (it is unclear who) recently made a Facebook page about Frontera arguing that he is "innocent." The page shows photos of him with science students and the about section says:

Mr. Frontera has dedicated his life to education and helped several of students succeed in the sciences. His dedication has allowed students to pursue higher education and reach their potential in science, math, and technology. He has served as mentor to several students and helped students throughout his career. In addition, he has always been a big advocate for helping the community in the Bronzeville area. Support this page and help Mr. Frontera seek justice!