Former Owen J. Roberts HS Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sexual Assault

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Glenside woman and former high school teacher has pleaded guilty to sexual assault in Chester County Court, admitting to having sex with one of her students.

Melissa Bonkoski, 38, who is previously of Stowe and now lists her address as Glenside, allegedly carried on a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student in her science class, according to police.

Bonkoski pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault and unlawful contact with a minor, according to court documents. Both charges are felonies and could carry a penalty a several years in prison.

Bonkoski was arrested in early August of last year on allegations of inappropriate contact, and was then charged with having "actual sex" with the student, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.

An investigation was launched early last July when the victim's girlfriend found texts on his phone from Bonkoski, according to a criminal complaint. Bonkoski had purchased a burner phone strictly for communicating with the victim.

Their relationship progressed in the summer and fall of 2016 after Bonkoski began offering the victim rides home. Eventually she invited him in to her house and had sex with him in Dec. of 2016, the complaint alleges.

The victim said he tried to cut off contact with Bonkoski but that she continued to text him on the burner phone, leading to his girlfriend eventually discovering the texts.

Sentencing is forthcoming.

Image via Chester County District Attorney's Office