A former Joliet school teacher is charged with indecent solicitation of a child, grooming, and traveling to meet a minor following an investigation by the Joliet Police Department.

The charges were filed in Kendall County against Alex Buetikofer, 38, of Lisle, a former teacher at Aux Sable Middle School, 2001 Wildspring Parkway, Joliet. The school is part of Plainfield School District 202.

Buetikofer was transported to the Kendall County jail on Saturday.

On March 6, Buetikofer engaged in a conversation with a student in the cafeteria at Aux Sable Middle School and asked the student for their phone number, according to a court record detailing Buetikofer’s felony arrest.

“This exchange was captured on Aux Sable’s school surveillance system. Video footage of the cafeteria shows Buetikofer providing paper while [the student] writes down her number,” according to the court records.

Later on March 6, Buetikofer sent the student several text messages.

One of those messages said, “Would you feel comfortable hanging out outside of school, like going to the mall or something? Nothing crazy. I could buy you anything you want lol.”

On April 6, detectives with permission of the victim used their phone to engage in a text exchange with Buetikofer, who sent a series of sexually explicit messages to that phone, court records show.

On April 17, Buetikofer allegedly agreed to meet up with a minor at a McDonald’s in Yorkville to engage in sexual acts, court records show.

After he was taken into custody, officers saw what appeared to be sex toys, alcohol, and blankets inside his rental vehicle, court records show.

Joliet police officials announced on Sunday evening they would hold a news conference with District 202 Superintendent Glenn Wood regarding the arrest of a “teacher on multiple charges related to alleged inappropriate conduct.”

However, neither police nor the district released any further details regarding the case.

As media coverage about Buetikofer’s case intensified on Monday morning, the district released a statement about 10:10 a.m. acknowledging Buetikofer’s arrest.

“District officials placed Buetikofer on administrative leave in early March and removed him from the classroom immediately after learning about grooming allegations against him,” according to a statement from Linda Taylor, the district’s spokeswoman.

The District 202 board terminated Buetikofer’s employment at its public meeting on March 25, according to Taylor’s statement.

The district has notified the Illinois State Board of Education and the Will County Regional Office of Education in writing about his termination as well.

In a statement, Wood said when “allegations of this nature arise,” the district “act swiftly and decisively.”

“We are grateful for the quick action of our building and district administration, as well as the cooperation of the families involved, law enforcement, and school officials, whose collective response helped ensure student safety,” Wood said.