Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka, 32, was arrested on January 9 in Effingham, Illinois, after police received a report about inappropriate electronic messages involving a child. He is a teacher and the founder of Crossroads Montessori School in Effingham.
Charges Against Kody Czerwonka
Police arrested Kody around 1 pm on January 9 after reviewing the reported messages. He was taken to the Effingham County Jail and faces two Class 4 felony charges: grooming a child for sexual activity and sexual exploitation of a child.
If he is convicted, each charge can lead to 1 to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to 25,000 dollars, and mandatory sex offender registration. His first court appearance was scheduled for Monday, January 12, to decide if he should stay in jail before trial under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.
Grooming is treated as a detainable offense under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act. This means a judge can order that a person charged with grooming be held in custody before trial if they are considered a risk.
Police Statement on the Case
The Effingham Police Department said officers acted quickly once they reviewed the case details. They believed there was a serious safety risk to children and moved fast to arrest Kody and stop any further contact with students.
Police Chief Kurt Davis praised his officers for protecting the community. He said their actions showed dedication to keeping children safe.
Who Is Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka?
Kody Czerwonka is the founder and a teacher at Crossroads Montessori School, located in the Lincolnland Building in Effingham. The reported victim is an underage student at this school.
His biography on the school’s website says he comes from a family of teachers and grew up with a strong love for learning. It describes him as committed to building a student-centered community where children are trusted, challenged, and supported.
The bio notes that he has held leadership roles in nonprofit groups focused on community development. He was a founding board member of the Tuscola GSA Booster Club and served as Vice Grand of the Tuscola Odd Fellows.
Teaching Style and Interests
According to the school bio, Kody supports hands-on, curiosity-driven education based on Montessori principles. He is said to blend his teaching with personal interests like film, kayaking, hiking, reading, and lifelong learning to motivate students.
The profile also says he believes in “co-learning,” meaning he aims to grow and learn alongside his students, not just teach them.
