Plainfield teacher accused of student sex assault in storage room

PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- A Plainfield teacher has been charged with criminal sexual assault for allegedly having sex with a female student.

Police said Brian D. Smith, 32, confessed to an improper sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Police say the alleged sexual assault took place inside Plainfield High School in a storage room adjacent to the science classroom where Smith has taught all year.

According to investigators, Smith and a 17-year-old student exchanged messages on social media for months leading up to the sexual encounter two weeks ago.

"He made up a name on social media, not his own, but the female student was able to kinda figure out it was him. As it progressed, it was strictly just conversations back and forth, they exchanged some pictures back and forth," said Chief John Konopek, Plainfield Police Dept.

Smith is charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault, a Class 1 felony. He's being held on $600,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

"Then in mid-February, there was an incident where, as a result of helping her take a test, she performed a sexual act on him in his classroom," said Chief John Konopek, Plainfield Police Dept.

Police say another student, a friend of the alleged victim, first alerted police. Police say they believe this was an isolated incident.

This is Smith's first year teaching at Plainfield. He was previously at Romeoville High School.