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Gym teacher accused of sex with student resigns
Jesse-Sturtz
Jesse Sturtz

DARLINGTON — The 23-year-old Darlington gym teacher accused of sexual assault and an inappropriate relationship involving a 17-year-old student resigned Tuesday night.

Following a special meeting, the school board said in a statement that it had accepted the resignation, effective at the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 4. School officials cited the “confidential employment” nature of the matter, and didn’t respond directly to allegations of the relationship detailed in a recent, four-count criminal complaint made public last week.

“However, the Board and administration of the district are totally committed to addressing any issues impacting the high school, its students, and staff associated with the alleged criminal off-duty conduct by Mr. Sturtz,” the district said in a statement, released the next morning by District Supt. Cale Jackson. “In addition, the district will continue to fully cooperate with the County Sheriff’s department and district attorney with respect to their investigation and prosecution of Mr. Sturtz.”

According to court records, Jesse Sturtz, 23 of Darlington, is charged in a criminal complaint with four counts of sexual assault by school staff, a class H felony in Wisconsin punishable by up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. 

Sturtz, a Darlington High School gym teacher, allegedly met the 17-year-old victim in a class he was teaching around September. The Monroe Times does not identify under age victims or any reported victims of sexual assault. After “flirting” between the pair, a relationship began and he had sex with her on four occasions, according to details of the complaint.

At one point, the complaint says, a police officer approached the pair following an outing to Dubuque. They were parked behind a Wiota church allegedly engaged in sexual relations; and the victim allegedly gave police a false birth date to avoid getting the teacher in trouble.

Sturtz’ custody and bond status remain unclear. The Lafayette County District Attorney’s office declined to comment, saying it does not comment on open cases.

Attorney Robert S. Duxstad is listed as representing Sturtz in court records, but he was unavailable to comment, said a woman in his Darlington office.

Sturtz is scheduled for an initial appearance at 1 p.m. on Feb. 14 before Circuit Judge Duane M. Jorgenson.