North Platte, NEBRASKA

PAROLE after 3 ½ years in prison.

He had substantial support from the beginning of this ordeal; 37 letters of recommendation were submitted on his behalf during the pre-sentence investigation. Former Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Meyer's frustration was evident when he said, "None of these letters expressed any concerns for the victim in all of this."

September 25, 2008 - After 3 ½ years in prison, Terrence “Buck” Egenberger, 43, a McDaid Elementary School teacher and girls' basketball coach, has been released on probation. He will be a registered sex offender and will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device until March 2009 when his parole ends.

Egenberger was charged with first-degree sexual assault for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old basketball player.. School administrators met with Egenberger, according to court testimony, in September. They advised him against having one-on-one contact with the victim. Later they placed a glass window in Egenberger's previously solid door.

Egenberger was arrested in January of 2003. A 1½-day trial in August 2003 ended with a mistrial. He pleaded no contest to the charges. In exchange for the plea, the state dropped the two additional sexual assault charges.

At the sentencing Lincoln County District Judge Donald Rowlands said Egenberger damaged the reputation of St. Patrick and the teaching profession in general, and abused parents' trust in those institutions. He said Egenberger abused his power and license by taking advantage of his position of authority over others.
“This court wants to send a message to the community that you and every other teacher who in this position will be punished,” Rowlands said.

Egenberger surrendered his Nebraska teaching certificate.

The North Platte Telegraph (Sept 25)

He apparently had substantial support from the beginning of this ordeal; 37 letters of recommendation were submitted on his behalf during the pre-sentence investigation.

Former Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Meyer's frustration was evident when he said, "None of these letters expressed any concerns for the victim in all of this."

Middletown, OHIO

Teachers union president arrested, accused of having inappropriate relationship with 17-year-old student. Also under investigation for relationship with another student.

Sentenced to three years in prison and registration as a Tier III sex offender for life.

May 16, 2008 - David Wagner, 32, a history teacher at Madison Junior/Senior High School, was arrested on two counts of sexual battery for allegedly "engaging in sexual activity" with a 17-year-old female student.

Wagner is also under investigation for an inappropriate relationship with another student - an 18-year-old female. Police were tipped off May 11 that Wagner had been sending text messages to the 18-year-old. That student said the text messages from Wagner were not sexual in nature.
Wagner is on paid leave. Wagner was elected president by the Madison Education Association for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years.
Full Name: David Jaimie Wagner

GRIEVANCE DENIED July 23 - The Madison Board of Education voted this week to deny payment to former coach David "Jamie" Wagner for his softball coaching contract for the 2007-08 school year.Wagner filed a grievance earlier this month to collect about $3,300 plus interest for his coaching contract, according to records obtained from the school district through an open records request.

The board unanimously voted this week to deny the grievance and, if necessary, move to arbitration rather than settlement.

GUILTY PLEA July 24 - Wagner pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery. As a part of the plea, Wagner will surrender his Ohio teaching certificate.

His arrest came after police began investigating Wagner for sending sexually explicit text messages to an 18 year-old student. The current allegations arose after police started the first investigation.

Wagner also will be classified as a Tier III sexual offender that will require him to register with the sheriff's office every 90 days for the rest of his life when he is sentenced on August 28.
Wagner's wife and parents were present in the courtroom.

TT - Not one story about his guilty plea mentioned his election as the teachers union president.

SENTENCED August 28 - Wagner was sentenced to three years in prison Wagner has also been classified as a Tier III sexual offender, which will require him to register with the Butler County Sheriff's Office every 90 days for the rest of his life.

The victim's father told Wagner, "You are every parent's worst nightmare."
[No mention in that story either that he was teachers union president.]

Nashville, TENNESSEE

Sentenced to three years in prison.

ARRESTED May 15, 2007 - Independence High School teacher Heather Thornsby, 34, has been arrested on charges that she had a sexual relationship with a student.

Thornsby told school officials that she’d been having an inappropriate relationship with a female student, according to the sheriff. She is charged with sexual battery by an authority figure and is being held at the county jail without bail.

The Williamson County Sheriff's Department told Channel 4 News that a parent filed a complaint. They said the complaint alleged improper contact between the teacher and a student. The girl’s parents discovered the relationship after finding a message in her room.

A second female teacher at the school is also being investigated for sex with another female student. Channel 2 news link.
Full Name: Heather Lee Thorsby

Update May 16 - Thornsby bailed out ($10,000) and to remain with her parents who live in Franklin. Thorsby planned to resign at the end of the school year, according to Williamson County Schools Director Rebecca Sharber. She has been suspended without pay.
(Photo courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office.)

INDICTED Nov 13 - A grand jury has indicted Thornsby on seven counts related to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student. She is charged with three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and two counts of exploitation of a minor by electronic means.

Thorsby was arrested on May 15 and charged then with sexual battery by an authority figure. School officials suspended Thorsby without pay on May 11, after she admitted to displaying conduct unbecoming of a teacher.

In May, Williamson County Sheriff Ricky Headley said Thorsby told school officials she’d been having an inappropriate relationship with a female student. Headley said the relationship began as a friendship but turned sexual.

The girl turned 18 in March. Her parents uncovered the relationship after finding a message in her room, Headley said. The parents went to school officials.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING July 31, 2008 - Thornsby pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and 2 counts of sexual battery by an authority figure. She was sentenced to three years in prison.

She was sentenced to three years for each of the five counts but as part of the plea bargain, she will serve the sentences concurrently. She was also required to registry with the state as a sex offender.

Salem, VIRGINIA

The original plea agreement called for three years probation, but Botetourt the judge increased it to five. After consulting with Yates, the defense attorney asked the judge to keep the agreement unchanged, but the judge refused, angrily telling Yates, "I was a former teacher."




Dec 17, 2007 -
Christopher Yates, 30, band director of Glenvar High School, was arrested, charged with taking indecent liberties with a female student.

His bond is set at $12,000, pending at hearing at Jan 22.

Roanoke County police say they're investigating an allegation against Yates there as well. It could result in additional charges. The events are alleged to have occurred from July 1st to October 4th of this year.
Full Name: Christopher Matthew Yates
Nickname: Matt Yates

INDEFINITE LEAVE Dec 18 - According to the school administration, Yates has been put on "indefinite leave." Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle confirmed for News-7 the alleged victim in this case actually lived with Yates and his wife. Yates is due back in court on January 22.

PLEA AGREEMENT April 17, 2008 - WBDJ 7 is reporting that

The Commonwealth's Attorney has reached an agreement with the former teacher so that he will plead guilty to a felony in July.

The Troutville resident will be sentenced to three years, but will only serve six months under the agreement. Once Yates gets out, he will be on probation and have to register as a sex offender.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING (sorta) July 25 - Yates pleated guilty to a felony count of taking indecent liberties with a minor. He was sentenced to three years in prison with all but six months suspended, and five years of supervised probation after his release. Yates will also have to register as a sex offender.

Summarizing the evidence against Yates, Assistant Botetourt Commonwealth's Attorney Hilary Griffith said the girl had been abandoned by her parents and was living with her sister in Salem, but her sister threw her out.

Yates and his wife took her into their home and obtained legal custody of her. At first, Yates and the girl had a relationship like that of a father and daughter, but the relationship turned sexual after she moved in with him.

The original plea agreement called for three years probation, but Botetourt Circuit Court Judge Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo increased it to five. After consulting with Yates, the defense attorney asked the judge to keep the agreement unchanged, but the judge refused, angrily telling Yates, "I was a former teacher.

After a brief break in the hearing, Yates agreed to the new terms.

Yates was briefly granted a furlough when his wife gave birth in July.

OurValley.org: (July 24) - Former Glenvar band director sentenced for having sex with student

“I want to publicly apologize. I’ve spoken to some of my close friends, and have gained their forgiveness, but I haven’t been able to speak to the Glenvar community…or to my band students. I’m very sorry,” Yates said to the group of friends, Glenvar Band Boosters and other supporters in the courtroom. His wife and newborn baby were among them.

Although the Virginia sentencing guidelines did not call for any jail sentence, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Hilary Griffith said she asked for jail time since Yates was acting as a substitute parent for the girl.

TT - We'll take flak for this, but...
There's seems to be a pathological moral deficiency in many band boosters. We aren't sure if this is because band directors become surrogate parents for their children and the adults are in full denial of the harm done by the band instructor. Or if they really are rah rah nitwits completely lacking in a moral compass and a lack of social responsibility.

But there's something unwholesome about such support long after it becomes apparent that the band director or band teacher is flagrantly guilty of sexual abuse of someone entrusted to his care.

We've frequently seen demonstrations of the same moral vacuity in supporters when the teacher is a drama instructor.

West Milton, OHIO

His attorney said his client understands one thing now. “He needs to hang out with people his own age.” Ya think?

Nov 28, 2007 - Anthony Spahr, 28, assistant director of the Milton-Union High School band, was arrested. He was indicted on one count of sexual battery. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor.

He was not a teacher in the district. Spahr passed a district background check before his hiring in a supplemental contract.

School officials recieved a call in October that said Spahr was involved with a minor. At their request, he resigned.

The investigation continues with additional charges possible. Video report suggests there is a second victim.

SECOND INDICTMENT Dec 7 - Spahr was indicted this week on a second sexual battery count alleging illegal sexual activity this summer with a 17-year-old girl, also in West Milton.

Before going to Milton-Union, Spahr worked with bands at Troy High School and Newton High School. Troy school officials said Spahr resigned from a similar job with the Troy band in 2002 following allegations of misconduct.

Troy Schools Superintendent Tom Dunn said Spahr resigned when told of an investigation into allegations he supplied alcohol to a band member during a band trip to England.

Separate allegations of sexual misconduct with a student also were made, according to a letter from a Troy school administrator to the county Educational Services Center. Spahr worked at Troy High School as an individual student aide through the services center.

He is scheduled for arraignment on the second charge Dec. 13.

ARRAIGNMENT Dec 13 - Spahr was arraigned. He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual battery for alleged sexual conduct this summer with a 17-year-old girl in West Milton while employed as an assistant band director at Milton-Union schools.

Spahr already was being held on $20,000 bail set at his arraignment in November on another count of sexual battery. That charge alleges sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl at his apartment in West Milton. Sheriff's deputies and prosecutors said this week they continue to investigate Spahr and more charges are possible.

PLEA WITHDRAWN April 30 - Spahr has withdrawn his no contest pleas entered April 11 to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Trial is set for June 4.

COMMENTS DIABLED May 10 for excess of unproductive rants. If you want to post something, send an e-mail.

SENTENCED July 19 Spahr was found guilty on the attempted gross sexual imposition charges in a plea agreement. Spahr was sentenced Friday to two years in prison (the maximum allowable term) and will be labeled a sex offender for the next 15 years.

The mother’s statement was read shortly after Spahr read a prepared statement of his own that expressed his remorse for what he had done to those “two young ladies.”

But sentencing Judge Jeffrey Welbaum questioned that remorse after he received a letter Thursday from one of the victims who said she and Spahr never had a sexual relationship, and Spahr’s attorney, Chris Bucio, added at the hearing his client states the same.

“As far as remorse, not only is there no remorse, but there is collusion between him and her,” Welbaum said from the bench.

A presentence investigation issued to the court contained other allegations, including that Spahr was involved in other inappropriate behavior while employed in a similar capacity at Troy High School.

July 18 - Former Milton-Union assistant band director gets 2 years in prison

Petaluma, CALIFORNIA

Sentenced (sorta) to -- six months and jail and he might not even have to do that.

News story date Apr 12, 2007 - Police arrested Craig Lee, 53, superintendent of the Lagunitas School District, on suspicion of possessing child pornography and domestic violence. No charges have been filed and a court date is pending. He is also under investigation for suspicious activity with a child, according to the Mercury News.

The child pornography was allegedly found on a computer after Lee's live-in girlfriend he had assaulted her after she discovered the child porn on his computer.

During the investigation, officers learned that Lee had a "large volume of computer generated images that depicted children engaged in sexual acts," police said. The images, apparently downloaded from the Internet, were of children ages 5 to 10 engaging in sex acts with adults, said Detective Matthew Stapleton.

Lee came to the Lagunitas district from Shasta County, where he taught elementary school.
Full Name: Craig Benedict Lee

Updated Apr 13 - Police found "over a hundred printed depictions" of adults performing various sex acts with young children, Petaluma police Capt. Dan Fish said Thursday afternoon.
He said the child pornography appeared to be computer-generated and printed from a computer over the course of "many years." "They're not photographs," he said.

Updated Apr 25 - Lee delayed entering a plea Wednesday in Sonoma County Superior Court on child pornography and battery charges. He will return to court for arraignment May 11.

Updated May 11 - Lee pleaded not guilty. faces 13 felony counts of possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexual conduct, a felony count of dissuading a witness and one misdemeanor count of battery on a spouse or former spouse. Lee was formerly was a teacher and principal at the Igo-Ono Elementary School near Redding. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 9.

PLEA AGREEMENT March 13, 2008 - Former Platina Elementary School teacher and principal Craig Lee has struck a deal with the Sonoma County district attorney's office to settle child pornography charges brought against him last year.

Lee, 54, will plead no contest to one of 13 charges stemming from the discovery of a stash of child pornography images found in his Petaluma home last April. Legally, pleading no contest is the same as pleading guilty, but the conviction cannot be used against the defendant in a civil lawsuit.

Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Antolini accepted Lee's bid not to contest the charges and found him guilty. Sentencing is schedule for June 30.

SENTENCED (sorta) July 23 - Lee was sentenced to six months in jail - not prison. A spokeswoman for the Sonoma County district attorney’s office said Tuesday that probation officials may allow Craig Lee to serve his sentence under electronic home confinement or a work-furlough program. He will be on probation for three years. He was ordered to register as a sex offender.

Lee left Platina Elementary School two years ago to take over as superintendent of the Lagunitas School District in Marin County. He was dismissed from that job after his arrest in April 2007.
------------------------------------
LEGAL NOTE: (From story) A recent case law in California established that prosecutors can bring only one charge of possession against a person regardless of the number of pictures the person may have owned, [Sonoma County chief deputy district attorney Joan] Risse said.

As a result of that ruling, prosecutors amended the charges against Lee. [No other story has this.]
------------------------------------
TT - Other jurisdictions have handed the conviction over to the feds when their case falls apart or they feel the possible sentencing would be too lenient.

Child Pornography and Educators
TT - List sentenced for child pornography.
TT - List guilty but not yet sentenced for child pornography.

Ferndale, PENNSYLVANIA

Seventeen to thirty-four years in prison and lifetime registration as a sexually violent predator.

Feb 27, 2007 - Bruce Haskins, 48, was charged with sexually assaulting an underage girl. He faces multiple charges including statutory sex assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors.

With his head in his hands, a Ferndale man sobbed as a 14-year-old girl described how he sexually assaulted her for nine years.

[Entry continued here for space considerations.]

Update May 9 - Haskins is also being charged with taping the encounters and saving them on his computer. Haskins remains in jail, unable to make a $200,000 bond.

GUILTY PLEA Jan 19, 2008 - Haskins pleaded guilty to one count of rape, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one count of filming or photographing sex acts. He was accused of abusing the girl from the time she was 5 until she was 14.

Before sentencing, Haskins will be evaluated by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine if he is a sexually violent predator, which would require him to register his address with police for life. If he is not deemed a sexually violent predator, he will be required to register for 10 years after completing his sentence.

Two years ago, Haskins completed the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders for similar charges from 2004. When he was a substitute teacher for the North Star School District, he was accused of inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl.

Haskins will be sentenced April 16.

See The Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (See SOAB Process.)

CBS3 (Jan 18) Ex-substitute teacher pleads guilty to molesting girl
Until his arrest in February, Haskins had been a Web-design instructor at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. He also worked as a substitute teacher in the North Star School District in Somerset County.

Tribune-Democrat (Jan 17) Ferndale man admits years-long child-sex abuse

SENTENCED July 10 - Haskins was sentenced to 17 to 34 years in prison. He has been designated a sexually violent predator. [TT - Sexually violent predators are subject to lifetime registration and increased reporting requirements.]

State officials expect the length of the sentence to prevent Haskins from committing similar crimes in the future.

"He's 49. 17 years puts him at fairly advanced age as far as being released." [Herbert Hays of the PA Sexual Offenders Assessment Board ] said.

Lynwood, CALIFORNIA

Pictures showed an infant being raped. The Alhambra man told investigators that paying for child pornography was "entertainment to him, like a video game."

Nov 29, 2007 -
In Lynwood, Kenneth Kothe, 61, a first grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, was arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography after investigators found hundreds of printed images of child pornography in his home that he actually admitted to downloading. Kothe lives in Alhambra.

Kothe was arrested on the same day as David Hassler, 62, a religious studies teacher at Mayfield Senior School School of the Holy Child Jesus in Pasadena, California. In a search of his home, they also found numerous printed images of child pornography, downloaded from the Internet. TT entry for Hassler.

GUILTY PLEA - April 22 - Kothe pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count of possession of child pornography. He will be sentenced July 14. Kothe will be required to register on national and state databases as a convicted sex offender. He has been on unpaid leave from his job since the investigation began, but once he is sentenced the district plans to fire him.

Investigators targeted Kothe after they found that he had subscribed to websites that allow users to download child pornography. His computer hard drive contained 113 images and 18 movies of child pornography, some with children as young as 7. He will be sentenced July 14.

Other San Gabriel Valley teachers in the news at Hassler entry.

SENTENCED July 14 - Kothe was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in federal prison Monday for possessing child pornography. He will serve ten years of supervised release following his prison term. (No parole for federal sentencing.) He will have register with law enforcement as a sex offender for the rest of his life. (TT - Sadly, the children in those pictures and videos are also sentenced for the rest of their lives. Their images will be traded like baseball cards by perverts across the globe.)

During an interview with agents, Kothe admitted to downloading and printing the images and paying for child pornography, which was "entertainment to him, like a video game," court papers state. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Dugdale said after Monday's hearing that one of the images Kothe possessed showed an infant being raped.

Child Pornography and Educators
TT - List sentenced for child pornography.
TT - List guilty but not yet sentenced for child pornography.

Amery, WISCONSIN

Forty-year-old teacher planned to marry the 16-year-old boy.
Something the National Inquirer would love.

Nov 15, 2007 -
Brenda K. Baillargeon, 39, a staff member of the Amery School District, was charged with with having sex with a 16-year-old male student, a Class H Felony under state law.

The mother had filed a harassment restraining order against Baillargeon in October. Baillargeon also faces four counts of knowingly violating that restraining order after the mother discovered a phone bill with calls from Oct. 15 to Oct. 21 ranging from 20 minutes to 73 minutes long.

She told authorities that she had received so many calls from the youth she felt she needed to answer them and speak with him.

The victim's mother contacted authorities after her son confessed the activity to her Nov. 13, according to the complaint.

BIZARRE Nov 16 - The Pioneer Press reports that Baillargeon was divorcing so she could marry the student. She took him on trips and sneaked into his home in the early morning hours for sex. She was his first love, and they were going to get married, according to arrest records, after she got a divorce.

A general tutor assigned to help the teen with his studies, Baillageon had sex with the boy at his home, his grandfather's cabin, on a bench at a nearby park and at her cabin near Amery, the arrest records said.

Baillageon is the second west-central Wisconsin educator charged this fall with having sex with a teenage student. Anne Knopf, 39, is also accused of having sex with a 13-year-old boy.
TT - Link for Knopf
TT - Link for teachers having sex with little boys list

NOT GUILTY PLEA Dec 28 - Baillageon was in court and pleaded not guilty.

NO CONTEST PLEA March 29, 2008 - Baillageon pleaded no contest for one count of sex assault of a student by school staff and one count of child enticement with sexual contact.
The judge dismissed three other felony charges. She will also have to register as a sexual offender.

Though the other charges were dropped, Polk County District Attorney Daniel Steffen said Baillargeon likely will serve time.

"She pleaded to one of the most serious charges, and even if she had gone to trial and been convicted, she wouldn't have faced any more prison time," Steffen said.

A mother of four, Baillargeon has a 16-year-old daughter the same age and in the same class as the boy Baillargeon admitted to having sex with.

Her sentencing likely will come 90 days after completion of a presentencing investigation by the state Department of Corrections.

SENTENCED July 13 - Baillargeon was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison -- two years of confinement and three years extended supervision, the sentences to run concurrently. She was also sentenced to probation for 15 years. She must also enter sex offender treatment, submit a sample of DNA, and register as a sex offender.

She was ordered last week by a Polk County judge to stay out of the City of Amery.

TT - It makes you wince when a news story reports, "She was 39 at the time of the affair." He was 16 years old! It's not an affair; it's sordid, manipulative, and illegal. And some would question the mental capacity of a mother of four having sex with a student 23 years younger.

Prescott, WISCONSIN

Nothing so illustrates the awful shame than a mugshot, complete with jail identification ID.

Thirty-nine year old teacher "in love" with a 13-year-old boy. But at least he will know where she lives for the rest of her life.

Nov 5, 2007 - Anne M. Knopf, 39, a Prescott teacher, has been charged with one count of second degree sexual assault of a child. She made a brief court appearance. [No other stories available online.]

The student she is alleged to have a sexual relationship with is a 13-year-old boy.

Preliminary hearing date is Nov 20.

WKYC reports that the boy was her daughter's former boyfriend. Knopf has retained custody of her two children. Their headline also says, "Woman charged over affair with 13-year-old"

Nov 26 - Knopf faces new sexual assault charges. She is now charged with repeated sexual assault of the same child.

The criminal complaint states the 13-year old boy drove to her Ellsworth home, once a week, for four or five weeks where they would kiss and have sex.

NOT GUILTY PLEA Nov 27 - Knopf pleaded not guilty. Her next court appearance will be a pre-trial conference on Jan 8.

TRIAL SCHEDULED - July 17, 2008

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Knopf pleaded guilty to one count of second degree sexual assault of a child. She was sentenced to nine months jail - not prison- and five years probation. The boy was 13 years old.

The complaint states the relationship between the two allegedly commenced via e-mail and messaging activities. The father made copies of the e-mails. The plea agreement was reached after physical evidence corroborated what the victim, a 13-year-old boy, alleged that intercourse took place.

She must undergo sex offender assessment and register as a sexual offender for the rest of her life.

LAWSUIT - October 24 - The father of the boy who was sexually assaulted by a substitute teacher last year has filed a civil lawsuit against Ann Knopf and her husband, Wade J. Knopf. The suit filed Oct. 16 says Ann Knopf's actions weren't decent, and that Wade Knopf should have avoided exposing the boy to risk of harm.

Mirimar, FLORIDA

Sentenced to 43 years in prison, but is out on bond while he appeals.

Mar 1, 2007 - Aaron Mohanlal, 39, an art teacher at New Renaissance Middle School, is on trial for sexual abuse of a boy that began when the victim was 12-years-old.

Prosecutors allege the sexual abuse went on for over a year. When the boy wished to break off ther elationship, Mohanlal created embarrassing fliers.

Update Apr 5 - Mohanlal was convicted in a jury trial of 13 felony counts, ranging from lewd or lascivious molestation to child abuse.

Sentencing will be Jun 14.

Last month -- after the fourth district employee this year was arrested and accused of sexual misconduct -- Broward school officials said they must scrutinize the district's hiring practices. They said they might add psychological or behavioral screenings.

SENTENCED (maybe) July 23, 2008 - Mohanlal was sentenced in June to 43 years in prison, but has yet to serve a day in jail. A judge ordered him released on post-conviction bond while his case is on appeal. The judge ordered Mohanlal to wear a GPS device, register as a sex offender and surrender his passport. CNN says the bond is unusual.

Post-conviction bonds are rarely given in criminal trials, but judges occasionally grant them if there was a procedural error during trial that would make a conviction reversal at the appellate level likely, legal experts say.

But there were no procedural mistakes during Mohanlal's trial, both prosecutor Anita White and defense attorney Steve Rossi said.

Under Florida statute, defendants without prior felonies are eligible for post-conviction bond unless they have committed first-degree murder or sexual battery. Mohanlal wasn't convicted of first-degree sexual battery. He was convicted of second- and third-degree felonies, and he had no prior felony record.

Other students in Mohanlal's class testified that their teacher handed them fliers, with the boy's picture and phone number, that falsely accused the teen of having sex with animals. Caught on surveillance camera at a grocery store copying the fliers, prosecutors say Mohanlal had become a disturbed lover scorned when the boy entered high school and began rejecting his advances.

Last year, the boy's family won $300,000 from the school district after a civil claim that the district failed to protect the student.

IN JAIL - August 1 - A judge initially agreed to allow Mohanlal to post a $610,00 bond because he did not have any prior convictions and appeared to meet the conditions of his bond, which included securing almost half a million dollars in property.

But the state discovered that the defendant never met the conditions of his bond and there was not enough equity in those properties, meaning Mohanlal is a flight risk. The judge revoked his bond.

Gilbert, ARIZONA

We had to start a new category for band teachers a while back.

Jan 10, 2007 - Jeremy Calvert, 20, assistant band teacher at Higley High School, was arrested on charges he molested a female student. A preliminary is scheduled for Jan 19. A Gilbert police spokesman said, "This is not a teacher-student romance." Police believe there may be other victims.

TT - An odd note from KOLD news. "Calvert was an employee of the Higley Unified School District from August 2005 until December. After departing, he asked to return as a volunteer."

NEVER FINGERPRINTED Jan 11 - ABC15 reports: A spokeswoman for the Gilbert Unified School District says Calvert was never fingerprinted for a background check. (TT - turns out that 53 employees who should have been fingerprinted, weren't. Entry)

FINGERPRINT POLICY Jan 11 - The Arizona Republic reports: A district policy allows staff to work without fingerprints on file as long as they are supervised when with students. The school has launched an audit of all Higley High staff fingerprint cards. (TT-but he previously worked for the school.)

The school will begin student workshops this week to remind students of their rights and expectations for teacher and staff conduct. An emergency staff meeting was called to remind teachers of proper conduct.

SECOND INCIDENT Disturbingly, the newspaper recalls, that this is the second incident in four years involving sexual contact between a staffer and a student at Higley High. In June 2003, Higley High choir teacher Benjamin LeMere, 27, was sentenced to jail for three months, put on lifetime probation and required to register as a sex offender. LeMere had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old student and a DNA test revealed that he was the father of the girl's child.

Police are investigating information that Calvert may have assaulted other students

STUDENT COMPLAINT Jan 11 - A sidebar here includes comments from girl who knew a band student who complained to the vice-principal about e-mails and text messaging and was told because she didn't have proof they wouldn't do anything. "I think now that this has happened they have no choice, but I think it could have been prevented if they'd looked into it earlier."
Full name: Jeremy Ross Calvert

Feb 14 - A student alleges that the band director ignored warnings last year about a band assistant accused of sexually assaulting a girl on campus. The girl who accused him of rape said there was “no consequence” for the text messages because the band director believed his assistant over the students.

The band director later told his principal that he was never told about the text messages, the police report shows. However, Calvert told police that band director was notified of the text messages. But Calvert said the messages were simply an effort to make friends with the students.

TRIAL SCHEULED Apr 10 - Calvert's trial is set for June 4 in the Superior Court of Arizona.

Dec 16 - Calvert's trial is scheduled to begin Jan 14, 2008. (Source: Database from the East Valley Tribune)

GUILTY PLEA June 25, 2008 - Calvert reached a plea agreement a month ago to plead guilty to two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, dropping seven counts of the same charge. He will be sentenced June 26.

The case was initially treated as a rape; however, court records show further investigation revealed the sex was likely consensual. A grand jury then charged Calvert with nine counts of sexual conduct with a minor. The case fueled a political battle that has divided the school board and Higley Unified School District administration to this day.

SENTENCED June 27 - Calvert was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday. Calvert also will be placed on lifetime probation and have to register as a sex offender.

The judge admonished Calvert. After Calvert finished his statement, the judge said: "Throughout the proceedings, you have tended to minimize your involvement in this" and issued the tough sentence.

Judge David Udall noted that Calvert had misused his position as a trusted teacher's aide and the incident occurred on school grounds - violating the professional trust and responsibilities of such a position.

Two district employees resigned in light of the incident. [No explanation.]

Rusk, TEXAS

"He asked the judge to consider his public service as a teacher for 29 years."
(As if those children abused in those child pornography photos should feel better that it was a teacher who viewed them naked and shamed?)

Feb 6, 2008 - Harold (Bo) Scallon, 60, a Rusk High School English teacher and drama coach, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distribution and possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors. The federal grand jury accuses Scallon of possessing 150 photos of minors.

Scallon resigned in September after an investigation by the FBI was turned over to the U.S. Eastern District Attorney's office.
Full Name: Harold Earl Scallon

Ex-Teacher Faces Child Pornography Charges

Two other Cherokee County teachers were investigated in less than a year.

Josh Allen, 23, a music instructor at Jacksonville Christian Academy, was sentenced in June 2007 to 48 months in prison for possession of more than 600 images of child pornography on his computer.

Brian Edward Basse, 34, a teacher at Rusk High School, was indicted in March, 2007, and charged with two second degree felonies, indecency with a child and improper relationship between an educator and student. The FBI examined his computer. Sentenced Sept 2007 to three years in prison. TT entry

GUILTY PLEA - April 9, 2008 - Scallon pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing child pornography. He admitted to possessing 196 images involving the sexual exploitation of minors and faces up to 10 years in prison.

His sentencing guideline range could be enhanced because some of the images included minors younger than 12, the offense involved some distribution, the images portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct and there were more than 150 images, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Baldwin said. Because Scallon accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty, there will be a decrease in the guideline range, he added.

A distribution charge was dismissed because of his plea agreement.

SENTENCED June 17 - Scallon also asked the court to consider that elderly men are not repeat offenders,

Appearing in a red and white striped Gregg County Jail suit, the defendant asked the judge to sentence him below the 78-97 month sentencing range and place him on supervised release. He asked the judge to consider his public service as a teacher for 29 years.

The judge found that the lower sentence was not warranted and sentenced him to 78 months, or six and a half years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release after prison. Scallon will have to register as a sex offender.

Child Pornography and Educators
TT - List sentenced for child pornography.
TT - List guilty but not yet sentenced for child pornography.

Virginia Beach, VIRGINIA

- "He's not a horrible man," his wife said. "It was a mistake."
- According to court testimony, he admitted he was a sex addict.
- The victim was 13-years-old.
- That's not sex; that's vile.

June 10, 2008 - Michael Harris, 31, a health and physical education teacher at Landstown Middle School, was fired after pleading guilty in March to touching a 13-year-old girl at his Chesapeake home. He will be sentenced on Friday on one felony count of indecent liberties with a custodial minor.

He has been suspended without pay since Jan. 4, 2007. The offense occurred in December 2006 in his home. The victim was a friend of a girl who was babysitting his two young children. According to court documents, the friend said Harris touched her breast while she was changing her clothes at his house. One of Harris' children, a 5-year-old daughter, was in the room at the time.
Full Name: Michael Patrick Harris

SENTENCED June 14 - Harris was sentenced Friday to five years, - with four SUSPENDED. . He was ordered to complete a sex offender program and register as a sex offender.

Harris has admitted to being a sex addict, according to court testimony. He also has taught at Princess Anne and Lynnhaven middle schools. He has surrendered his teacher's license.

White Cloud, MICHIGAN

Police found a few computer parts in the bag. The witness took down the license plate, which belonged to Kowalski.

Sept 21, 2007 - Edward Kowalski, 51, a middle school teacher at White Cloud Junior High, was arraigned on felony charges involving an alleged Internet sexual solicitation of what he believed was a 15-year-old Adrian girl.
A preliminary examination on charges of accosting children for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime was adjourned to Oct. 24. Kowalski was suspended from his teaching position before the start of the school year. The Internet solicitation was reported to have occurred on July 19.

PREVIOUSLY DISCIPLINED From The Grand Rapids Press: Several years ago, White Cloud Junior High teacher Edward Kowalski was disciplined after he accessed pornography and chat rooms on school computers, records showed. In a search of his home in July, Kowalski was described as "deceptive."

Kowalski, who lived alone, told police he did not have a computer or an account to access the chat service, and denied ever chatting with the 15-year-old, reports showed.

Police could not locate a computer, only a monitor on its side on the floor. But police found a newspaper article about Kowalski, in which he said he uses the Internet daily to buy Frisbees for his collection.

Police described Kowalski as "deceptive" during the search, and said he was "drenched in perspiration" as police worked, reports said.

Later, after Emrick left, he got a call from Mecosta County Central Dispatch.

Someone complained a trash bag was discarded on private property. Police found a few computer parts in the bag. The witness took down the license plate, which belonged to Kowalski, police reports showed.

Full Name: Edward Michael Kowalski

TRIAL DATE SET Jan 31, 2008 - Trial has been scheduled for Mar 18.

TRIAL April 23 - Attorneys were to give final arguments this morning before the case is turned over to the jury to decide. Kowalski's attorney said it didn't rise to criminal behavior.

Judge Harvey A. Koselka also questioned whether the evidence was enough to prove a crime was committed after Detective Vincent Emrick finished testifying about three Internet chats he had with Kowalski on July 19, 20 and 25.

Koselka later denied a defense motion to dismiss the case, ruling there was enough proof to send the case to the jury after a woman testified about a sexual relationship she had with Kowalski that started on the Internet.

Kowalski also apparently believed he was in trouble with the law when he allegedly trashed a home computer and was caught dumping parts of it along a rural road a few miles from his home after Adrian police came to search for it.

SENTENCED June 14 - Kowalski was sentenced to six months in jail - not prison - with credit for 51 days served, followed by five years of probation. Kowalski was ordered to register as a sex offender and to undergo counseling.

He was convicted by a jury April 23 of accosting children for immoral purposes and using the computer and Internet to commit a crime. “I heard the jury verdict and I thought they were correct,” the sentencing judge said.

MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL July 15 - A hearing was rescheduled to provide more time for computer experts to testify. Judge Harvey A. Koselka ordered the hearing adjourned to Aug. 22 to provide adequate time. Monday’s hearing was scheduled for only 15 minutes.

MOTION DISMISSED August 23 - A motion for a new trial was rejected when defense attorneys were unable to prove their claims.

Peoria, ILLIONOIS

Apr 13, 2007 - Andre Williams, 34, Physical Education teacher at Columbia Middle School and a coach at Peoria Central High School, was arrested, suspected of Criminal Sexual Assault.

This comes just weeks after Manual High School teacher Jodi Church was arrested on state & federal charges for Sexual Assault. [TT link]
Full Name: Andre N. Williams

Apr 15 - Williams was released on his own recognizance. Next court appearance is May 15. He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. His court date would be expected to change if he is indicted by a Peoria County grand jury.

June 29 - INDICTED An arrest warrant has been issued for William's arrest after he failed to turn himself in after being indicted. The indictments charge Williams with having sex with two of the girls he was coaching. They indicted him on criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault.

July 6 - BOND REDUCED - A judge lowered bond for Williams from $100,000 to $50,000.

GUILTY PLEA April 2, 2008 - Williams pleaded guilty to count of sexual abuse of the 15-year-old student while the two other counts that involved the second girl were dismissed.

Assistant State's Attorney David Gast read a factual basis for the abuse charge that stated Williams had sex with the girl, who was 15 when the relationship started in September 2005. It lasted until December 2006, the prosecutor said in court. One of the reasons for the deal, he said, is that one victim was "reluctant" to testify about the matter.

Williams will have to register as a sex offender. He will be sentenced on June 13.

SENTENCED June 13 - Williams was sentenced to three years in prison. He had asked for probation.

During sentencing, Williams apologized and asked the judge for probation. Brandt, however, noted the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter others in rejecting Williams' probation plea.

Williams will have to register as a sex offender.

Video at the WEEK.com site said that Williams pleaded with the judge for leniency so he could stay home with his wife and three children.

Toledo, OHIO

June 10, 2008 - When police in California started looking for a sex offender last week, they found him working - at a Toledo parish and school.

William Werner, 60, was convicted in 1989 of sex crimes against a 13-year-old girl. Released 10 years later, he then came to Toledo. He began working for St. Joan of Arc Parish five years ago as a part-time cleaner. He's in jail now for failing to inform authorities of his whereabouts.

Amsterdam, NEW YORK

Munn sought psychological counseling even before her arrest, prosecutors said, explaining why they agreed to a light sentence. (We love the pity picture.)

Sept 13, 2007 - Elizabeth Munn, 32, an eighth grade social studies teacher at Broadalbin-Perth Middle School, was arrested and charged with third-degree rape for sex with a 15-year-old male student.

Munn is married and has two children.

The Leader-Herald has extensive coverage.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING (Sorta) June 4, 2008 - Munn pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree rape. She was sentenced to six months in jail and 10 years’ post-release supervision, but she has already served two-thirds of the six-month sentence and is expected to be freed shortly with credit for good behavior.

The married mother of two will be classified as a Level 1 sex offender, the least dangerous type.

Munn has surrendered her teaching license and resigned from the school district as part of the agreement, according to the Albany Times-Union. [TT - Which makes it a "Bargain."]

Lancaster, PENNSYLVANIA

When sex offender registration is the only punishment for a conviction for corruption of minors and indecent assault, you better bet local police and the District Attorney should follow up.

May 8, 2008 - In checking the sex offender lists, the Lancaster (PA) District Attorney's Office found 10 of 300 community sex offenders out of compliance.

One of those out of compliance was Taurus K. Gilbert who was convicted in 2003 of kissing and fondling a young girl at her home. He was a teacher at Hamilton Elementary School at the time. He was sentenced to 10 years' probation as a sex offender.

As part of his sentence, Gilbert is required to register with the Megan's Law web site and get a new picture taken every 12 months for 10 years. The check on compliance was the result of a newspaper report. The New Era discovered Gilbert's failure to register. He did register after the newspaper report and won't be charged.

Pennsylvania State Police unit monitoring the web site found he was not in compliance. They notified local law enforcement who failed to follow up. The D.A.'s office claims they don't have the time.
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Gilbert's license was revoked in Dec 2004 "for the crimes of corruption of minors and indecent assault."

Columbus, GEORGIA

Dec 1 - Cypert pleaded guilty. Sentenced to one year in prison, followed by probation, and sex offender registration.

May 2, 2007 - TWO Muscogee County teachers have been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with their students. In separate incidents.

Jim Cypert, 37, (left)an English teacher at Columbus High School, was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual assault. Cypert is accused of having non-coerced** sex with one of his students in 2005.

May 4 - Cypert, a Columbus high school teacher and substitute, was charged with four counts of sexual assault against a person in custody. [Teacher-student sex is illegal in Ohio even if the student is a legal adult.]

Cypert allegedly had a sexual relationship with one of his female students that began in 2005. The student was an 18-year old senior at Columbus High.

INDICTED Sept 18 - Cybert indicted on sexual assault charges.

Sept 19 - Cybert is still on the school payroll. He was transferred to an area where he has no contact with students. "He is working within the transportation department in an adminstrative capacity, at this time we know this is a legal matter and requires due process and it has to go through the court system,"says Director of Communications, Valerie Fuller.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Dec 1 - Cybert pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault against a person in custody and followed a plea agreement. He was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by five years' probation. As part of his sentence, Cypert must forfeit his teaching certificate and register as a sex offender.
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Roderick Branscomb, 32, (right) a substitute teacher at Carver High School, was charged with sexually assaulting a student.

** TT - we use the term "non-coerced" as sex with a minor is never legally consensual.

Dec 1 - No online updates for Branscomb.