Illinois public school teacher arrested and charged with grooming a student

An Illinois high school teacher was arrested by the Rockford Police Department on grooming charges Friday.

Marshall Pratt, 61, was investigated by the department’s Sensitive Crimes Unit after he was alleged to have made inappropriate contact with a student on June 1, according to local WTVO.

Pratt was arrested and charged with grooming after a warrant was issued by the Winnebago County State Attorney’s Office on Friday.

Pratt is now being held on a $7,500 bond in the Winnebago County Jail, according to WTVO, which reports Pratt taught gifted math at Auburn High School until he resigned on June 2. 

Rockford Public Schools released a statement, confirming Pratt no longer works for the school: 

“This individual no longer works for Rockford Public Schools,” the statement reads, according to 13 WREX. “For any further information or comment, please contact the Rockford Police Department.”