Former Toppenish teacher faces extradition

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

YAKIMA – A fired Toppenish High School teacher accused of sexual misconduct with a student and offering alcohol to two students was arrested Sunday in Southern California on a bench warrant out of Yakima County.

Bertha Adriana Cerna, 40, is in custody in the Orange County Jail. Her bail is set at $50,000.

Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Brusic said Cerna has a court appearance today (Tuesday) in California where the court will advise her of the process and her rights regarding potential extradition.

If Cerna does not waive extradition today, Brusic said his office will begin the process of obtaining a governor’s warrant which he said does take some time. Cerna will have an attorney appointed to assist her through the extradition process.

“If she does waive, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office will make travel arrangements to go down and bring her back,” Brusic said. “The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and the Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office will share in those expenses.”

On July 29, Cerna was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and two counts of furnishing liquor to a minor.

Photo via Yakima County Crime Stoppers