A former Currier Elementary School third-grade teacher faces 11 felony counts after prosecutors allege he sexually assaulted and abused five students during the 2025-26 school year in West Chicago.
Mario Garcia, 54, of the 2500 block of Looking Glass Court in Aurora, was charged Friday, Aug. 7, with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (Class X felony), five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 1 felony) and four counts of aggravated battery (Class 3 felony), according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors allege Garcia inappropriately touched five students on multiple occasions while teaching at Currier Elementary, 800 Garys Mill Rd.
At his Friday, Aug. 7, first appearance before Judge Joshua Dieden, the state's motion to detain Garcia pretrial was granted. Garcia remains in DuPage County Jail.
District reported immediately, then fired Garcia
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced the charges jointly. Berlin publicly commended District 33 and Currier Elementary for alerting police as soon as concerns surfaced.
"I commend the authorities at West Chicago School District 33 and at Currier Elementary School for immediately bringing this matter to our attention," Berlin said. "... Today's charges are in no way indicative of the outstanding, professional faculty and staff employed by School District 33."
School authorities contacted the West Chicago Police Department and the DuPage County Children's Center on May 14 to report that a teacher had touched several students inappropriately, according to WJOL's report on the State's Attorney's press release. The investigation was described by prosecutors as "thorough" and "child-sensitive," conducted by West Chicago police and the DuPage County Children's Center. Assistant State's Attorney Cathy Nusgart handled the prosecution.
District 33's response
Superintendent Kristina Davis confirmed in a written statement that the district removed Garcia from contact with students as soon as concerns were reported, notified law enforcement and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and terminated his employment. Davis noted Garcia had passed all required state and federal background checks, educator licensure verification and employment-history reviews under Illinois law, including Faith's Law, during the hiring process.
The district is now partnering with Childhood Victories to expand age-appropriate education for all District 33 students on personal safety, healthy boundaries, recognizing grooming and speaking up. A parent information session is planned for the fall.
In-person crisis counseling was available to District 33 families and staff on Monday, Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Leman Middle School's Community Room, with no appointment required.
What families should know
Garcia's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31 before Judge Ann Celine Walsh.
