A Camanche High School social studies teacher faced a felony charge in connection with his alleged relationship with a female student.
Court records showed Bradley Wickes, 36, of Albany, Illinois, was charged and arrested October 30, 2015, for one count of felony sexual exploitation by a school employee, and that a no contact order was issued against him November 2. His bond was set at $5,000 cash.
Wickes, who delivered the commencement address to graduating seniors in May 2015, remained listed as a social studies teacher on the Camanche High School website, and he was reportedly placed on administrative leave.
Wickes was accused of exchanging about 600 Facebook messages with a 17-year-old girl, who was also one of his students, over a period of about two months. The victim reportedly told police she believed Wickes wanted a sexual relationship with her, and that he said he would get in trouble if their relationship was found out, according to the Clinton Herald.
Included in the court records are some of the exchanges between the two. At one point, Wickes tells her "I'm going to cross over to the creeper side a moment and tell you. You are hot," on a Facebook message. Wickes and the girl eventually met up at a Wal-Mart and hugged in the parking lot according to an affidavit.
He also talks about being openly together after the girl graduates. He is quoted in the affidavit as saying "I'd buy you an apartment and be your sugar daddy lol, if I could afford it. You deserve to be comfortable. Hugs to you."
Wickes has a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 19th.