Ridgeview teacher arrested for criminal sexual assault

Posted on July 16, 2020
Authorities arrested David Rotchford of Normal on Tuesday. (Photo McLean County Sheriff’s Office)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A music teacher and girls basketball coach in the Ridgeview School District was arrested Tuesday and charged with several counts of criminal sexual assault.

In June, detectives began investigating complaints of inappropriate text messages that had been sent to several former female students at Ridgeview High School by David W. Rotchford, according to authorities. During their investigation, the detectives discovered several more incidents of criminal behavior spanning several years involving Rotchford, who is listed on the district’s website as a junior high and high school chorus teacher.

Detectives interviewed Rotchford on Tuesday and he was arrested.

The charges according to the McLean County Sheriff’s Office:

  • Counts 1, 2: Criminal Sexual Assault/ Supervision, Victim 13<17.
  • Counts 3, 4: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse / Victim 13<18, Position of Trust.
  • Counts 5, 17: Criminal Sexual Assault/ Supervision, Victim 13<17.

Rotchford is being held at the McLean County jail. Bond is set at $750,000, meaning he needs to post $75,000 to be released.

The Ridgeview School District shared this statement on Facebook:

The Ridgeview School District is aware of the arrest of a staff member earlier this week, and is aware of charges filed…

Posted by Ridgeview CUSD 19 on Thursday, July 16, 2020

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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