RELEASED AFTER SEVEN MONTHS.
Feb 27, 2007 -
Claude Brown, 41, social studies teacher and coach at Buchtel High School, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to a single count of sexual battery of a 17-year-old female student.
``It was a consensual relationship,'' [Akron police spokesman Lt. Rick]Edwards said of the allegation against Brown.The next hearing is March 9.
``But in his position as a faculty member and teacher, there is no such thing as a consensual relationship when you're in the position of authority as faculty member to student.''
Asked to comment on the seemingly growing number of sexual incidents involving teachers and students, Edwards said: ``When you send your kids to school, you expect them to be in the best hands of caregivers that are there at school -- teachers, faculty members, gym teachers, athletics coaches and things like that.
`Here's a guy who violated that trust with, not only the students, but the parents and the community,'' Edwards said. ``He was well respected in our community, especially West Akron, for the football program that he's put together. Now he's ruined that trust with the community.''
[Photo courtesy of Akron Police Department.]
Mar 9 - Brown pleaded not guilty. A preliminary is scheduled for Apr 21. Brown is on paid administrative leave. He is free on a $10,000 bond.
Apr 11 - Brown pleaded guilty to charges he had sex with a 17-year-old female student. As part of his plea, he will forfeit his teaching license and be labeled a sexually oriented offender. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery
He will be sentenced May 18.
May 16 - Brown was sentenced to two years. As part of his plea, Brown will also forfeit his teaching license and be labeled a sexually oriented offender.
He apologized to his wife, his family, his kids, his school and his West Side community.
Nov 28 - From the Ohio Educator Conduct database:
Basis for Discipline: Convictions for felony importuning and felony attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
Discipline Action: Voluntary Surrender
Date of Action: September, 2007
Dec 6 - Brown will appear before a judge next month with a chance for early release from his two-year prison sentence for having sex with a 17-year-old female student. A hearing is scheduled for Jan 2.
[His attorney] told [Judge] Shapiro on Wednesday that Brown already has paid a steep price for his crime, saying Brown has served nearly seven months of his sentence, lost his jobs as a teacher and highly respected football coach, has no immediate job prospects and must face the consequences of being labeled a sexually oriented offender.The misconduct involved six girls. The school district was aware of the alleged misconduct, according to Canton police records, and subsequently worked out an agreement with Brown and his lawyer in which Brown resigned after the 1989-90 school year.
Comment at news story: "He used his position of respect to abuse these young ladies and the young men who looked to him as a father figure who were left to wonder what is a real role model, particurly in a neighborhood which is devoid of male role models. It has become apparent that he has had a history, and is very lucky he isn't serving a life sentence for rape as I believe that was what actually occured (the age of the victim and the disparity of age & position). He should be serving a life sentence in my opinion, there were many victims, including his family !"
RELEASED Jan 2 - Brown was released in what is termed "shock probation" after serving only 7 months of a two year sentence.
Brown has admitted to a 20-year history of sexual inappropriateness with adults and girls, who were all his students.TT - Of course, if you're the parents of the victim(s) you'll probably call it "Outrageous Sentencing." Seven months for a Tier-3 Sex Offender?
A Tier-3 Sex offender is defined as: Tier 3, which includes the most severe, sexual-based crimes - such as rape or sexual battery - requires verification every 90 days for the rest of the offenders life.
The judge was Judge Marvin Shapiro.
