School founder and teacher accused of grooming, sexually exploiting student

MONTROSE, Ill. (WAND) - A teacher and school founder has been arrested and charged with grooming and sexually exploiting a child.

Dakota (Kody) M. Czerwonka, 32, of Montrose, was arrested at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, after Effingham police said they got a report about inappropriate electronic messages involving a child.

Czerwonka is the founder and teacher at Crossroads Montessori School, located in the Lincolnland Building in Effingham. The victim in the case is an underage student at the school.

Investigators said they identified the suspect as Czerwonka. He was arrested and booked into the Effingham County Jail on the following charges:

• Grooming – Luring Child to Commit Sex Offense or

Engaging in Unlawful Sexual Conduct With a Child – Class

4 Felony

• Sexual Exploitation of a Child – Class 4 Felony

An initial court appearance will be held Monday to determine eligibility for continued detention under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.

Grooming is a detainable offense under the SAFE-T Act, and individuals charged with this violation of law can be detained pre-trial.

Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis said, "After reviewing the content of the case after it was reported to our Department, Officers immediately identified a very real safety risk and promptly effected an arrest of the subject, thereby eliminating any further opportunities for this individual to be in contact with other students or children. I’m very pleased with their efforts. They showed dedication to ensuring the safety of our community through these actions.”

WAND News did reach out to the school for comment on the arrest. No one answered when we called. A message was left requesting a statement.

Crossroads Montessori School opened in the fall of 2025.

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