Former Okaw Valley teacher accused of grooming sentenced to 5 years in Moultrie County

MOULTRIE COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - A former Okaw Valley teacher accused of grooming has been sentenced to five years in prison.

The Moultrie County State's Attorney's Office presented evidence that an investigation of Jason Engler, a 45-year-old former middle school teacher, started in Shelby County, resulting in his arrest. Those charges include grooming. The victim was a student at Okaw Valley schools, where Engler was formerly a teacher and track coach, Moultrie County State's Attorney Tracy Weaver said.

Engler previously took a plea in Moultrie County on October 25, pleading guilty to two counts.

On Thursday, Engler was sentenced to three years on one count and five years on another, to be served concurrently. He will get credit for 111 days served.

Engler was initially arrested by Findlay Police after being contacted by the school district. Engler had been put on home confinement by a Shelby County judge before being arrested on similar charges in Moultrie County.

Weaver added that Bethany Police later learned of an additional victim who lives in Bethany. Officers said they found a journal in Engler's home that referenced the minor victim by name and said he wanted to take the victim to Ohio to make her his "wife."

Officials said Engler admitted to Bethany Police that he sent the minor victim pornographic images of himself on social media and requested pornographic images of her in return. Police said Engler also directed a third party to communicate with the victim when Engler recognized he should not be having contact with her.

Engler was charged in two counties, Shelby and Moultrie.

Engler took an open plea in Shelby County, pleading guilty to one count of grooming. A count of indecent solicitation of a minor was dismissed. Sentencing in Shelby County is set for Dec. 18.