On Wednesday, an Illinois judge in DuPage County denied former teacher Christina Formella’s request to decrease the distance she’s required to maintain from the student she’s accused of sexually abusing.
As CrimeOnline previously reported. Formella, 30, faces 55 charges, including criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and grooming.
According to the Chicago Tribune, prosecutors said she engaged in sexual relations with the student over 50 times, with at least 45 incidents occurring at Downers Grove South High School, where she worked as a special education teacher.
Last month, Judge Mia McPherson denied the prosecution’s request to keep Formella behind bars until trial. The judge, however, did impose several conditions for her release.
One condition includes GPS monitoring, which prevents Formella from coming within 5,000 feet of the alleged victim’s school, residence, or place of employment.
Formella’s defense attorney, Todd Pugh, requested the distance to be reduced to 2,500 feet, arguing that Formella’s hone falls within the exclusionary zone.
The New York Post reports that since June, Formella has been living at her parents’ “$560,000 home on a golf course,” which is reportedly within a mile of where the teen works.
McPherson subsequently denied the defense’s request and said she’s keeping the teen’s protection in mind.
Formella broke down in tears during her arrest on March 16, after hearing the charges against her, according to bodycam footage. Police arrested her outside her home as she exited a vehicle reportedly belonging to her husband, who was in the passenger seat during the arrest.
Police said the sexual assault began during a January 2023 tutoring session inside a classroom with the defendant and the 15-year-old. The student ultimately ended the relationship, according to court documents.
The abuse reportedly continued for more than a year, ending in September 2024. Allegedly, the teacher and victim engaged in sexual acts at least 50 times between the school and her home.
Formella is also accused of sending texts that appeared “grooming in nature,” according to the state’s attorney’s office.
Formella’s charges were upgraded last month to an additional 20 counts of Criminal Sexual Assault, 20 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, six counts of Indecent Solicitation of a Child, and six counts of Grooming, bringing her total number of charges to 55.
Meanwhile, someone at the court Wednesday told the Post that Formella’s husband, Michael, accompanied her to the hearing and appeared to be supportive.
“Michael was holding her hand the entire time. They were smiling at each other, literally smiling at each other the entire time until she got up,” the tipster said, “They looked really confident,”
Formella has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
While out on bond, she is to refrain from having any contact with anyone under the age of 18, including the victim.
Formella, who was on administrative leave from the school, has since resigned and surrendered her teaching license.
She’s due back in court on August 4.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo via DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office]
