Former teacher’s aid being held on statutory rape charges

A 29-year-old former employee of the Wentzville School District remained in custody in the St. Charles County Jail, Monday, Aug.20, after being charged Aug. 17 with two counts of statutory rape and one count of sexual contact with a student.

Victoria Reinke, of the 600 block of Aster Lane in O’Fallon, was a teacher’s aide at Timberland High School when the district received a complaint in late March alleging Reinke’s involvement with a 16-year-old student. The involvement allegedly occurred over a five-month period, police said.

“As soon as the Wentzville School District learned about the allegations of misconduct, Mrs. Reinke was immediately placed on unpaid leave and the district reported the matter to local law enforcement and the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services for further investigation,” said Matt Deichmann, community relations with the Wentzville School District, in an e-mail.

Following a four month investigation, Reinke was charged with two counts of statutory rape in the second degree, and one count of sexual contact with a student.

According to police, none of the reported acts occurred during school hours or on school property and no additional victims were involved.

The WSD Board of Education has accepted her resignation in lieu of termination.

“The district will continue to deal with this personnel matter in accordance with district policy and state law to ensure the protection of our students, which is always of the highest priority in all of our schools,” Deichmann said.

A cash only bond was set at $20,000 with no 10 percent authorized.