BELLEVILLE • A former Belleville West High School math teacher was charged today with having sexual contact with a student who was 17 at the time.

The St. Clair County state's attorney charged Ryan D. Endsley, 37, of Shiloh, with one count of criminal sexual assault. Endsley turned himself in to police and was jailed Friday in lieu of a $250,000 bail.

Jeff Dosier, superintendent of the Belleville School District 201, said his office received an anonymous letter about two weeks ago making an allegation against Endsley. Dosier said the district then contacted police.

Police talked to the alleged victim, now 18, and she told them about the sex act.

The alleged sexual contact occurred between June 1 and Aug. 31 of last year, police said. Investigators say they don't believe any sexual contact occurred on high school property. Police believe the contact was consensual.

Under Illinois law, a person 17 years old is usually old enough to consent to sex, but can still be considered a victim of sexual assault if the accused is 17 or older and holds "a position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to the victim."

Endsley taught mathematics at the high school for 15 years until his resignation Monday, Dosier said.

The district distributed an recorded alert to parents by phone this week informing them of the investigation, Dosier said. The school has made counselors available to students.

Police are asking high school parents to talk to their children and to contact the department at 618-234-1212 if they believe Endsley may have had any sexual contact with their child.