A former East Aurora School District 131 employee has pleaded guilty for having sexual contact with a minor.

Jose B. Corona, 32, of the 1300 block of South Glen Court, Aurora, agreed Friday (Oct. 14, 2016) to a sentence of 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of criminal sexual assault, each a Class 1 felony, and one count of battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., accepted the plea.

Jose B. Corona (CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page)

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that between Aug. 15, 2015, and Nov. 12, 2015, Corona had sexual contact with the victim, a student at the school. The contact took place in Corona’s office at East Aurora High School and at his home. In October 2015, a second victim, also a student, reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services that Corona had made inappropriate advances and unlawful contact with her sometime before Oct. 22, 2015. As that case was being investigated, East Aurora High School administrators learned of Corona’s sexual contact with the first victim.

Both victims were younger than 18 years old at the time. The felony charges reflect that Corona was in a position of trust and authority over the victim.

Corona was employed by East Aurora School District 131 as a truancy liaison officer during the time of all of the unlawful activity.

According to Illinois law, Corona must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for 336 days served in the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his arrest in lieu of $100,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

In addition, Corona must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Reagan Pittman, who is assigned to the Kane County Child Advocacy Center.

The case was investigated by the Kane County CAC with assistance from Illinois DCFS and the Aurora Police Department.

“There has been, and there continues to be, a reluctance among sexual assault victims to speak out for a variety of reasons. However, we as a community must be compassionate enough to listen to and support sexual assault victims when they do speak out,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

“These young women courageously spoke up and confronted Mr. Corona about his acts. Because they did so, they were able to prevent him from victimizing other children. I cannot overstate their bravery in doing the right thing.”