Former Ridgeview High School teacher admits sexually assaulting a student

Posted on April 6, 2021
David Rotchford, 33, of Normal. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

NORMAL – A former teacher at Ridgeview High School in Colfax has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a former student.

The McLean County State’s Attorney’s office will recommend up to eight years in prison for David Rotchford’s guilty plea to one of the charges against him. The state will also dismiss 16 related charges filed against Rotchford last July.

The judge is not obligated to follow the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation. Criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 felony, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Rotchford, who’s 33 and from Normal, was a music teacher at Ridgeview, and also coached girls basketball.

McLean County Sheriff’s Police said detectives started investigating Rotchford last June after receiving complaints of inappropriate text messages sent to former female students at Ridgeview.

He was arrested July 14, and has been jailed ever since.

Rotchford’s sentencing before Judge Casey Costigan is scheduled for June 1.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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