ARRESTED Feb 8, 2007 -
Jared Bromley, 26, a fifth-grade teacher at Fort Ann Central School, was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Two students claim 26-year-old Jared Bromley encouraged them to engage in inappropriate sexual behavior - and he watched. The boys are just 11 and 13. Bromley
is not accused of having contact with the boys himself.
Post-Star reports that "Bromley was arrested after two students interrupted an incident involving at least one of the boys late Tuesday afternoon in the coach's office inside the boys locker room, officials said. Bromley apparently did not know they had witnessed it."
Bromley is on administrative leave with pay.
Update Feb 9 - Prosecutors are hoping to press felony charges against Bromley.
CHARGED Mar 23 - Bromley was charged with second-degree sexual abuse, rather than the the two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. Conviction on the sexual abuse charge will result in his being required to register as a sex offender. He resigned Mar 2.
PLEA OFFERS REFUSED June 8 - Bromley has refused all plea offers. The District Attorney says he might send the case to the grand jury.
Update June 26 - Bromley's attorney wants the prosector removed from the case. The grand jury is to hear the case as soon as Thursday.
INDICTED July 16 - Bromley was indicted on 16 charges, including three felonies.
NOT GUILTY PLEA July 28 - Bromley pleaded not guilty. Next court date is Sept 28.
TRIAL DATE SET Sept 29 - A trial is scheduled for Dec 3.
WANTS CONFESSION SUPPRESSED Oct 18 - Bromley wants his confession suppressed. He told a judge that State Police refused to get him a lawyer when he asked for one the day he was questioned.
If Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan believes the testimony of Jared P. Bromley, he could bar as evidence the confession Bromley gave police from being used as evidence against him. The judge will rule in two weeks.
GUILTY PLEA Nov 30 - Bromley pleaded guilty and faces 60 days in jail, 10 years probation and will be ordered to register as a sex offender. (He pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual conduct, a class D felony.)
Although police say he encouraged the acts, they do not believe he touched the 11-year-old and 13-year-old. He will be sentenced in January.
From The Post Star: Dec 1 - With the felony conviction, Bromley will lose his teacher's certificate in New York. The District Attorney pointed out the need for some changes in the law.
He said the case was an example of the need for a felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child, because Bromley's actions were difficult to fit into a particular sex offense statute. The state has only a misdemeanor endangering welfare of a child count.Washington County District Attorney Kevin Kortright had approved a plea bargain that would have allowed Bromley to enter an "Alford plea" (You can prove it in a court of law, but I won't admit it.) The plea also would have meant no jail time.
The judge - Judge Kelly McKeighan rejected that agreement and required that there be a jail term and an admission of guilt.
Bromley will be sentenced Jan 11.
SENTENCED Jan 11, 2008 - Bromley was sentenced to 60 days in jail - not prison - and 10 years' probation for felony sexual conduct. He will have to register as a sex offender. His teaching certificate was revoked. The judge also deemed Bromley a Level 2 sex offender.
He will have to serve at least 40 days in jail.
