Buetikofer

On March 13, 2026, the Joliet Police Department was contacted by officials from Plainfield School District 202 regarding a serious and concerning situation involving a former PE/Health teacher at Aux Sable Middle School on Joliet’s far west side.

School administrators reported concerns involving the male teacher’s conduct toward multiple female students. These concerns included inappropriate after-class interactions, requests for personal contact information, and communications that raised significant concerns about professional boundaries.

In one reported incident, the teacher is alleged to have made nonsexual physical contact with a student following class dismissal, which caused the student to feel uncomfortable. Students recognized this behavior as inappropriate and reported it to school staff, who then immediately escalated the matter to administrators.

The teacher was identified as Alex Buetikofer, age 38, from Lisle, Illinois. Upon learning of these allegations, detectives with the Joliet Police Department immediately launched a criminal investigation.

As the investigation progressed, detectives identified multiple instances in which Buetikofer allegedly attempted to establish personal, non-school-related relationships with students. This included requesting phone numbers and social media accounts from female students.

Given the nature of these allegations and the ongoing concern for student safety, detectives implemented a proactive investigative strategy.

Between April 6 and April 17, 2026, with the knowledge and consent of the victim’s family, detectives conducted a text-based undercover operation in which detectives made communication via text message with Buetikofer under the guise of a student.

During this operation, Buetikofer continued communicating with whom he believed to be a current female Aux Sable Middle School student. These conversations became increasingly sexual in nature and highly inappropriate. He made repeated attempts to move the conversation to other platforms, requested images, and worked to arrange a private, in-person meeting.

Throughout these exchanges, Buetikofer demonstrated clear understanding that he believed he was communicating with a 14- year-old female student.

On the morning of April 17, 2026, detectives obtained an arrest warrant out of Kendall County charging Buetikofer with Two counts of Aggravated Battery and One Count of Indecent Solication of a Child.

Later that evening, under the continued guise of a student, detectives arranged a meeting with Buetikofer at a McDonald’s restaurant located at 2007 Bridge Street in Yorkville, Illinois.

During communication leading up to this meeting, Buetikofer expressed an intent to engage in sexual activity with whom he believed to be a 14-year-old female student in the vehicle in the parking lot.

Shortly before 8 p.m. on April 17, 2026, officers and detectives from the Joliet Police Department, including members of investigations, tactical, narcotics and neighborhood policing team units, along with members of the Yorkville Police Department, conducted surveillance at the Yorkville McDonald’s.

Buetikofer arrived alone in what was later learned to be a rental vehicle and entered the business, where he purchased food as requested during the communications. After exiting the restaurant, he was taken into custody in the parking lot following a brief struggle with officers.

During a subsequent inspection of the vehicle, officers observed several items in plain view that were consistent with prior communications. These items included alcohol, as well as what appeared to be a sex toy on the front passenger seat. A blanket was also observed covering the windows of the vehicle.

The vehicle was secured and transported to the Joliet Police Department as evidence.

Following his arrest, Buetikofer was interviewed by detectives, and he invoked his right to legal counsel.

In a separate press release, District 202 officials said they had placed Buetikofer on administrative leave in early March and removed him from the classroom immediately after learning about grooming allegations against him.

The Joliet Police Department investigated the allegations with full District 202 cooperation.

District officials will continue to cooperate fully with all law enforcement efforts as proceedings continue.

The Board of Education terminated Buetikofer’s employment at its public meeting on March 25, 2026.

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

The District worked in close coordination with law enforcement throughout this process.

The collaborative response among building administration, district leadership, and law enforcement agencies helped ensure student safety, said Dr. Glenn Wood, District 202 Superintendent of Schools.

“When allegations of this nature arise, we act swiftly and decisively,” said Wood.

“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.”