Joliet teacher charged with grooming, trying to meet with student outside school, police say

A Joliet gym teacher is facing a litany of charges after being arrested while trying to meet with one of his 14-year-old students following months of inappropriate behavior being reported, according to Joliet police.

Alex Buetikofer faces two counts of aggravated battery, five counts of indecent solicitation of a child, two counts of grooming, one count of traveling to meet a child and one count of solicitation to meet a child, police said.

The 38-year-old Lisle resident who was working as a physical education and health teacher at Joliet's Aux Sable Middle School, as well as a Hinsdale Central assistant boys lacrosse coach in another district, has since been fired from both positions and was arrested Friday; an investigation is ongoing, officials said.

"Students should be able to look at educators as people who are there to protect them, encourage them, and help them grow," Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said in a statement. "Based on this investigation, trust was seriously violated in the most abhorrent fashion conceivable."

Police said Buetikofer had been reported for "inappropriate after-class interactions, requests for personal contact information, and communications that raised significant concerns about professional boundaries," including asking for phone numbers and personal social media accounts of students. In at least one interaction, he made "nonsexual physical contact" with a student after class, causing the student to become uncomfortable and report it to school officials.

After the behavior was reported to Joliet police by school officials March 13, he was placed on administrative leave and removed from the classroom before being fired March 25, according to a statement from District 202.

Hinsdale District 86, where he was coaching, cut ties with him March 19 and formally fired him March 26, according to a statement from the district. The charges are unrelated to any Hinsdale students, the district said, but encouraged any students who had concerning interactions to report them to district principals.

“When allegations of this nature arise, we act swiftly and decisively,” said Glenn Wood, superintendent at Plainfield District 202, which includes Aux Sable Middle School. “We are grateful for the quick action of our building and district administration, as well as the cooperation of the families involved, law enforcement and school officials, whose collective response helped ensure student safety.”

Joliet officers then got permission from the family of a victim to start messaging with Buetikofer, who believed he was talking to a 14-year-old student, around April 6, according to police. The conversations became "increasingly sexual and highly inappropriate," requesting images of the student and trying to arrange in-person meetings, police added.

A police officer messaging Buetikofer as the student then arranged a meeting at a Yorkville McDonalds around 8 p.m. Friday, during which the former teacher allegedly had a "brief" struggle with officers before being arrested, police said. Alcohol and a sex toy were found in the rental car he had arrived in, with a blanket blocking out the back windows, officials said.

"I want to again recognize and thank our partners at Plainfield School District 202," Evans said. "Their action, transparency, and continued collaboration were critical in allowing this investigation to move forward quickly and effectively. ... The Joliet Police Department remains committed to protecting children, supporting victims, and holding accountable anyone who abuses a position of trust and authority."