Who Is Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka? Illinois School Founder Arrested

Dakota “Kody” M. Czerwonka, a teacher and school founder, was arrested in Effingham after police received a report involving inappropriate electronic messages connected to a child.

Czerwonka, 32, is the founder and a teacher at Crossroads Montessori School in Effingham. Authorities say the case involves an underage student.

Arrest Details and Police Action

Effingham police arrested Czerwonka at around 1:00 pm on January 9. Officers reviewed electronic messages that were reported to them and decided immediate action was necessary.

He was taken into custody and booked at the Effingham County Jail. Police said they acted quickly due to concerns about child safety.

Charges Filed Against Kody Czerwonka

Czerwonka is facing two Class 4 felony charges under Illinois law:

• Grooming a child for sexual activity

• Sexual exploitation of a child

If convicted, each charge carries a possible sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to $25,000, and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Court Hearing and Custody Status

His first court appearance was scheduled for Monday, January 12, where a judge was expected to decide whether he would remain in custody before trial.

Under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, grooming is considered a detainable offense. This allows a judge to keep a suspect in jail if they are believed to pose a risk to the community.

Police Statement on Child Safety

Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis said officers moved quickly after reviewing the evidence. He stated that protecting children was the top priority.

Police confirmed that steps were taken to prevent any further contact between the accused and students.

Who Is Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka?

According to public information from the school’s website, Czerwonka founded Crossroads Montessori School, which operates from the Lincolnland Building in Effingham.

His profile describes him as coming from a family of teachers with a strong interest in education and community building.

Background and Community Roles

The school biography says Czerwonka held leadership roles in nonprofit organizations. These include being a founding board member of the Tuscola GSA Booster Club and serving as Vice Grand of the Tuscola Odd Fellows.

These roles were focused on local community development.

Teaching Philosophy and Interests

Czerwonka’s teaching style was described as hands-on and student-focused, following Montessori education principles.

The bio states that he encouraged curiosity and learning through real-world activities. It also mentions interests such as film, hiking, kayaking, reading, and lifelong learning.

Investigation Ongoing

Authorities have not released further details about the investigation. Police say the case remains active and more information may be shared later through the court process.

At this stage, all allegations remain under investigation, and Czerwonka is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.