Arrest Warrant Issued for Former Toppenish Teacher

The Yakima County Prosecutors Office has issued an arrest warrant for former Toppenish teacher 40-year-old Bertha Cerna. In the warrant she's charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and two counts of furnishing liquor to minors. The warrant calls for a bail of $50,000.

The warrant was issued after an additional investigation

Officials from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office say the warrant was issued on Tuesday.
They say the office started a "additional" investigation in the case after a request from the Yakima County Prosecutors Office.
Cerna and her Husband John Cerna have been in the news over the last year after being fired from the Toppenish School District. An investigation found the couple gave alcohol to a student among other allegations.

The investigation is ongoing waiting for more information

The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office began an additional investigation in the case after the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office requested the action in January 2022. Information on the Yakima County Sheriff's Office Facebook page says;
Based on the investigation since that time, detectives established probable cause for the listed charges and the case was referred to the Yakima County Prosecutor’s office.
Although charges have been filed, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office maintains an active investigation into additional information and evidence regarding the Toppenish School District case and still encourages those with information relevant to the investigation to come forward. Anyone with such information should contact YCSO Detectives Reyna or Duggan at 509-574-2567.