Metro-east high school employee charged with grooming student, other felonies
A man faces multiple felony charges for allegedly sending a 16-year-old student sexually explicit messages while he was employed by Edwardsville High School.
Charges were filed Thursday in Madison County Circuit Court against James L. Williams Jr., 29. According to court documents, Williams is accused of messaging the teenager via Microsoft Teams and planned to meet up with her at her residence over spring break for an “unlawful purpose.”
He was charged with one count of indecent solicitation of a child, a Class 2 felony; one count of solicitation to meet a child, a Class 4 felony; and one count of grooming, also a Class 4 felony.
Court documents allege Williams committed the offenses “from on or about” March 28 through March 31. Students began spring break Wednesday and return Tuesday, April 7, the school district’s website states.
Court documents do not disclose Williams’ position at the high school. Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 also declined to describe his position when contacted by the BND.
On Wednesday, before charges were filed, Interim Superintendent Allen Duncan emailed families stating a report was made Monday of alleged inappropriate communication between an unnamed high school employee and student, and that the employee was suspended without pay during an investigation.
The Edwardsville Police Department coordinated its investigation with Department of Children and Family Services, Duncan’s letter says.
“As this remains both a personnel matter and an active investigation, we are limited in what we can share at this time,” Duncan’s letter reads. “The safety and well-being of every student in our district is our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a respectful and appropriate environment for all students.”
Mary Ann Mitchell, the school district’s public relations and communications coordinator, did not refer to Williams by name Thursday, stating that the employee allegedly involved in the matter “has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of this matter.” The district cannot release more details at this time, she said.
A petition to deny Williams pretrial release filed by Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Haine says Edwardsville police began its investigation Tuesday. Witnesses and Williams were interviewed, and Williams admitted to inappropriate conversations with the teenager and planning to meet her over spring break, court records say.
A defense attorney was not listed for Williams as of Thursday afternoon.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 5:52 PM.