Who is Kody Czerwonka? Illinois school founder and teacher arrested for grooming, sexually exploiting child

A teacher and school founder in Illinois has been charged with grooming and sexually exploiting a child. 32-year-old Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka, of Montrose, was arrested at 1 pm on January 9 after Effingham police received a report about inappropriate electronic messages involving a child, according to Wand News.

Czerwonka was arrested and booked into the Effingham County Jail on charges of Grooming – Luring Child to Commit Sex Offense or Engaging in Unlawful Sexual Conduct With a Child – class 4 Felony, and Sexual Exploitation of a Child – class 4 Felony. If convicted, both the charges are punishable by a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years, a fine of up to $25,000, and mandatory sex offender registration.

An initial court appearance is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 12, to determine eligibility for continued detention under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act. Grooming is a detainable offense under the SAFE-T Act, and people charged with this violation of law can be detained pre-trial.

“After reviewing the content of the case after it was reported to our Department, Officers immediately identified a very real safety risk and promptly effected an arrest of the subject, thereby eliminating any further opportunities for this individual to be in contact with other students or children. I’m very pleased with their efforts. They showed dedication to ensuring the safety of our community through these actions,” said Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis, according to a Facebook post by Effingham Police Department.

Who is Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka?
Czerwonka is the founder and a teacher at Crossroads Montessori School, located in the Lincolnland Building in Effingham, per the outlet. The victim is an underage student at the school.

Czerwonka’s bio on the school’s website reads, “Kody Czerwonka comes from a family of teachers, and a deep passion for learning is rooted in his upbringing. As the founder of Crossroads Montessori School, Kody is dedicated to building a student-centered community where children are trusted, challenged, and supported every step of the way.”

The bio says that Czerwonka has held leadership roles in various nonprofit organizations focused on community development. He was an original founding board member of the Tuscola GSA Booster Club, and also served as Vice Grand of the Tuscola Odd Fellows.

“An advocate for hands-on, curiosity-driven education, Kody blends his commitment to Montessori principles with his diverse passions—film, kayaking, hiking, reading, and lifelong learning—to inspire students to discover their own interests and strengths. He believes in the power of co-learning: not only helping students grow, but also growing alongside them,” the bio adds.