School founder and teacher arrested for sex crimes involving a student

Monday, 12 January 2026

Effingham Police arrested Dakota "Kody" Czerwonka around 1:00 p.m. January 9 following a report of inappropriate electronic messages with a student, according to an Effingham Police Department press release.

 

Czerwonka is the founder and a teacher at Crossroads Montessori School, located in the Effingham Lincolnland building, Effingham Police said.

 

 

 

He faces charges of Grooming and Sexual Exploitation of a Child Under the Age of Thirteen, two class four felonies, according to court documents.

 

Czerwonka is in custody at the Effingham County Jail and has been denied pre-trial release.

 

“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," Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis said in a statement. "I’m very pleased with their efforts. They showed dedication to ensuring the safety of our community through these actions.”

 

If convicted, Czerwonka faces a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years, a fine of up to $25,000, and mandatory sex offender registration, the Effingham Police Department said.

 

Czerwonka appeared in court for an arraignment this morning, according to court documents.

 

Election records show Czerwonka ran for Illinois state representative as an independent in 2020.

 

WEIU reached out to Crossroads Montessori School for comment and is waiting to hear back.

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