Breckenridge, MICHIGAN

No contest to seven counts of gross indecency.
Fifty-year-old teacher and 15-year-old girl.

April 3, 2008 - Donita Brady, 50, a 7th grade physical education and language arts teacher at Breckenridge Middle School and Breckenridge High School, has been has been charged with seven counts of criminal sexual conduct with a 15-year-old female student.

She was arraigned Wednesday before 65th District Court Judge James Mackie. Because Brady teaches in the same district as the alleged victim, the five first-degree charges were upgraded from less serious third-degree counts and what would have been fourth-degree charges were upgraded to second-degree, Gratiot County Prosecutor Keith Kushion said.

The five counts of first degree criminal sexual complaint involve digital penetration or oral sex.

The alleged victim and her parents filed the complaint with the Breckenridge Police Department on March 2. The incidents allegedly took place between September 2007 and February.

ARRESTED April 4 - Teacher arrested on sex charges
Brady is divorced and has children. She is on leave from the school district. A preliminary is scheduled for April 16.

PRELIMINARY WAIVED April 16 - Brady waived a preliminary hearing in district court. She is scheduled to be arraigned in 29th Circuit Court on May 5. Originally on sick leave, she is now on paid administrative leave.

ARRAIGNMENT WAIVED May 6 - Brady on Monday waived her arraignment in Gratiot County Circuit Court. Official set a trial date of Wednesday, July 2. Brady, who is divorced and has children, is on administrative leave. She has taught in Breckenridge schools for 27 years.

TRIAL POSTPONED June 16 - Brady's trial has been postponed for two months. The trial scheduled for July 2 has been rescheduled for September 3.

June 23 - Gratiot County Circuit Judge Randy Tahvonen was to hear the case for Donita Brady, 50, but postponed it to Wednesday, Sept. 3, from Wednesday, July 2. Tahvonen adjourned the trial because of ''new discovery'' items about which Brady's lawyers want more information, Gratiot County Prosecutor Keith Kushion said without elaborating.

MOTION DENIED July 23 - During a pretrial hearing Monday in 29th Circuit Court, Judge Randy Tahvonen ruled against a motion filed by Donita Brady's lawyers to "obtain or have the court review confidential and privileged medical records" of the alleged victim, Gratiot County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Bakker said. Bakker called it a fishing expedition into the life of a victim.

NO CONTEST PLEA August 18 - Brady pleaded no contest to seven counts of gross indecency between females. She will be sentenced October 20. Brady remains on administrative leave from the district.

SENTENCED (Sorta) October 20 - Brady was sentenced (sorta) to one year in jail - not prison - followed by five years of probation. She will be required to register as a sex offender after her release.
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TT - Amazingly, the court had received numerous letters from supporters on both sides of the issue. Lowercase judge Randy Tahvonen from the 29th circuit court decided to stay within the state recommended sentencing guidelines of zero to 17 months for the reduced charge.

La Mesa, CALIFORNIA

This has got to be the School from Hell.
Fourth time in two years a teacher at Helix Charter High School is accused of sentenced for having sex with a student.

RESIGNED June 20, 2008 - Helix High School teacher Jeff Wenham, 46, has resigned after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, the same teenage girl that a geography teacher at the school was accused of having sex with, authorities said. That teacher was Garry Wilcox, 41. He was arrested in May.

The girl's father came to the station a week ago to report that his now 18-year-old daughter had been involved with Wenham. The teacher resigned the same day. Police are recommending that misdemeanor child-molestation charges be filed against him. They are forwarding the complaint to the District Attorney's office for review

Wenham, who is married, taught at the school for six years. Wenham had been scheduled to replace a retiring assistant principal.

As a result of the previous incidents, the school said they are contracting with the National Institute of Ethics to "evaluate our needs, develop appropriate training, and participate in obtaining ethical certification." The process is slated to begin in July. [TT - something they announced back in May. Entry We still have the same criticisms and think parents should be involved in developing training in order to educate parents, and, through them, students.]

June 24 - The governing board approved paying the National Institute of Ethics $43,000 to develop training to prevent teacher sexual misconduct.

SENTENCED (Sorta) October 15, 2008 - Wexham was sentenced to 60 days in a work program where he spends his nights in a locked building, followed by three years probation. The judge also ordered Wenham to undergo counseling. He will have to perform 20 days of community service.
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La Mesa Police Dept. Press Release PDF on Wenham. (dated June 20, 2008)
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All links are to TT entries.
Frank Palumbo, 27, assistant band director, victim age 17.
No jail or prison time. No sex registration. Sentenced April 2007.
Sentenced to five years of probation.

Jessica Kahal, 22, music teacher and band director, victim age 17, male.
No jail or prison time. No sex registration. Sentenced Feb 2008.
Sentenced to three years of probation.

Garry Wilcox, 43, geography teacher and coach, victim age 17.
Arrested May 2008. Arraigned June 3. Pleaded guilty in July.
Sentenced to one year in jail and three years probation in August.

Houston, TEXAS

Sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Dec 13, 2006 - Brandy Lynn Gonzales, 27, a Piney Point Elementary teacher, and her husband, Johnny Gonzales, 31, were arrested "over the alleged sexual assault of five of her ex-students."

Brandy quit teaching at Park Place Elementary in 2005. The asaults took place in 2004. The boys were aged eight to ten. The assaults began in the classroom and escalated. They are due back in court Jan 12.

One report: she and her husband confessed to the assaults.

GUILTY PLEA August 5, 2008 - Brandy Gonzales pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child. Her husband pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Prosecutors say the couple sexually assaulted five boys who were fifth-graders.

Prosecutors say the students alleged the former teacher would touch them under their desks and sexually assaulted them at her apartment and at movie theaters.

They will be sentenced in October.

SENTENCED October 24 - Gonzales was sentenced to 60 years in prison* for four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child. She tearfully testified about how she sexually abused the boys, between 11 and 13 years old.

One of the boys was sexually assaulted by Brandy and Johnny Gonzales after he sought help from Brandy Gonzales because of physical abuse at home. He attempted suicide after the revelations of the sexual encounters, [Prosecutor Denise] Oncken said.

Brandy's husband, Johnny Gonzales, 33, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

[In] handing down the sentence, Judge Mike McSpadden told her, "Rather than educate our children, you chose to violate their trust in a horrific way."

"I feel she's a very serious sex offender and one that does not need to be out in our community again, around children, especially school-age children," Oncken said.

* The sentence was 40 years for each aggravated sexual assault conviction, and 20 years for sexual indecency with a child. The terms will be served concurrently.

PENNSYLVANIA Teaching Certificate Actions

TEACHING CERTIFICATE ACTIONS can be found here.

September 29, 2008 -There are twelve actions taken. They include:

James D. Frank
Susquehanna Township School District, Pennsylvania
Surrender in Lieu of Discipline
Cause of Action: Educator alleged to have sexually assaulted a female student in March 2006 by forcing her to perform oral sex on him. Educator also alleged to have inappropriately touched several female students throughout his career, beginning in 1976.
Date Action Taken: 8/8/2008

Raul A. Azpiazu
Wyalusing Area School District, Pennsylvania
Surrender in Lieu of Discipline
Cause of Action: Allegations of inappropriate relationships with students
Date Action Taken: 5/30/2008

Anthony E. Burger
McGuffey School District, Pennsylvania
Position: Superintendent
Surrender in Lieu of Discipline
Cause of Action: Allegations of harassment
Date Action Taken: 7/31/2008

Lorraine Henry
Wilson Area School District, Pennsylvania
Surrender in Lieu of Discipline
Cause of Action: Conviction: Retaliation against witness or victim; criminal conspiracy; distribution of a small amount of marijuana but not for sale.
Date Action Taken: 6/25/2008

Visit the site for the complete list.

Erie, PENNSYLVANIA

Nov 13, 2007 - Erica L. Baker, 24, (also known as Erica L. McEldowney) a student teacher at Strong Vincent High School and a substitute teacher at Pfieffer-Burleigh Elementary School, was arrested on charges that she had sexual contact with a 16-year-old female student.

Baker is accused of three counts of corruption of minors, a first-degree misdemeanor. She was suspended today.

Nov 14 - She pleaded not guilty, according to her attorney.

[lSchool district attorney Richard] Perhacs said intimate encounters between students and teachers are on the rise, even though many of the incidents do not rise to the level of criminal activity. However, many still result in faculty terminations.

"In recent years, these cases have come to light primarily because the culture has changed, and I think people, particularly young people, affected by these types of behaviors, have become a lot more likely to come forward and tell people about them and report them," Perhacs said. "Whether they're being reported more often or occurring more often, I can't say."

Baker was recently divorced. She's been suspended without pay.
News story contains list of teacher misconduct cases.

GUILTY PLEA September 3, 2008 - Baker was pleaded guilty to one count of corruption of a minor in a plea bargain that dropped two additional corruption of a minor counts. She also agreed to give up her teaching license. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23

SENTENCED October 23 - Baker was sentenced to three months to one year in jail - not prison - to be followed by four years of probation.

Though prosecutors had said they wouldn't oppose probation, Judge John Garhart said jail was warranted because Baker was in a position of authority.

The Erie Times-News reported that both the prosecution and the defense expected probation. But the judge rejected the plea agreement.

"The thing that looms large is the court's responsibility for general deterrence," Garhart said.

He said he wants his sentence of Baker to send a message: "If a teacher gets involved with a student, jail time will be served."Garhart also said incarceration was appropriate because Baker, who was teaching at Strong Vincent High School when she met the victim, was in a position of authority when she had sex with the victim in August and September 2007 at a campground near Presque Isle State Park.

"What she did was with a protected class of person -- a minor," Garhart said.

Baker's family seemed shocked, according to the article. The judge was adamant.

The commonwealth and the defense are entitled to reach any agreement they want," he said. "In the end, the decision is mine."

Baker has surrendered her teaching license.
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ONLINE RESOURCE: The Standards and Practices Commission at the Pennsylvania Department of Education maintains online list of actions taken against teaching certificates.

Troy, OHIO

A very courageous girl.



ARRAIGNED Dec 13, 2007 - James H. Clay, 41, basketball coach at Troy Christian School, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of sexual battery for alleged sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl.

Clay was a coach at Troy Christian School for about two years before he was fired in February. The firing was unnrelated to the sexual misconduct allegations. Clay was indicted by the Grand Jury.

Clay was charged earlier this year as part of an investigation by the sheriff's department but the charges were dismissed in favor of presenting evidence to a grand jury. The charge is sexual battery because at the time of the alleged conduct, Clay was in a position of trust as a coach.

CONVICTED August 28, 2008 - A Miami County jury that deliberated for around 80 minutes before finding Clay guilty of felony sexual battery.

Jurors reviewed all evidence, particularly a tape of a call the girl made in summer 2007 to Clay, asking him about videotapes she said he made of two sexual encounters. As the girl talked briefly with Clay, sheriff's Detective Mark Slater sat nearby.

"The tape was probably the most damaging," foreman Mark Herkins of West Milton said. Jurors listened to the tape four to five times, he said, adding, "We tried to listen to every word." On the tape, Clay tells the girl the tapes had been destroyed.

After the verdict, she thanked supporters.

OF NOTE: Lawyers challenge jury pool.

On Tuesday, Clay's lawyers challenged the county's jury pool because there were no blacks among the more than 40 people called for possible jury service. The lack of minorities, they argued, took away the right of a jury of his peers for Clay, who is black.

A couple of days after Clay was charged in December, his house burned. The fire was ruled an arson, but no one has been charged. Prosecutors are waiting for a final investigation report from the sheriff's office. Clay will be sentenced October 14.

SENTENCED October 14 - Clay was sentenced to the maximum - five years in prison for sexual conduct with a 15-year-old student. Clay is 41 years old.

Clay cried as he asked Judge Jeffrey Welbaum for mercy for him and his family, saying the past year has been filled with pain for his children, who have been harassed, and his loss of five jobs because of the criminal charge and conviction.

"I just want peace for my family and peace for (the victim's) family," he said.

Judge Welbaum reviewed Clay's criminal record, which he said included 26 convictions mostly between 1988 and 1997, including multiple assaults and driving under suspension.

Clay was classified a Tier III sex offender, requiring him to register his address with the sheriff in the county where he lives for the rest of his life.

Teacher Layoffs

NEWS ITEM

October 17, 2008 - The Dallas Independent School District laid off 375 teachers and 40 counselors and assistant principals Thursday. They transferred 460 teachers to other schools within the district.

The deficit was caused by a massive miscalculation in the budget, CNN affiliate WFAA-TV reported.

Children, one crying, crowded Thursday around Mary Crose, a music teacher at San Jacinto Elementary School.

"I've had them since they were in kindergarten," she told The Dallas Morning News, as she wrapped her arms around two of the children. "We've been through a lot at our school, and it's going to be so hard. We need the prayers and support of everyone in Dallas."

"Why do you have to leave?" a girl wailed, through her tears.

Previous Layoffs
The district has more than 11,500 teachers. Last week, 152 employees -- including clerks, office managers and teacher assistants -- voluntarily left their jobs, the district said. On September 29, 62 central staff members lost their jobs.
.
The Dallas Independent School District is the nation's 12th largest, with more than 160,000 students. The projected deficit is $84 million.
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TT - Doing the math, it means there was one teacher for every 14 students before the layoffs. That seems to be an extravagance, to say the least.

But sadder yet, is the need to inflict the story on children.

New Britain, CONNECTICUT

October 23, 2008 - Michelle Campbell, 36, a special education teacher at Chamberlain School, has pleaded not guilty to charges of abusing her autistic students.

She was arrested October 9 and charged with three counts of risk of injury to children and four counts of cruelty to persons. Police said there are three victims in the case, all of whom are 5 to 7 years old. The warrant has been sealed by the court.

A spokesman for the parents said that the allegations were substantiated by the Department of Children and Families, but that the district never notified the families about the allegations.

The alleged abuse was reported by Campbell's co-workers at the Chamberlain School.

Campbell is due back in court November 21st.

Manassas, VIRGINIA

Feb 25, 2008 -
Ted Johnson, 48, an Osbourn High School teacher, was arrested, charged with one count of attempted custodial indecent liberties with a child and misdemeanor sexual battery.

Investigators say a 13-year-old Stafford County girl complained that Johnson had attempted to sexually assault her. She is described as a "non-family member."

Johnson also works as the band director at Mayfield Intermediate School. He has worked for Manassas City schools for 20 years.
Full Name: Ted Thomas Johnson
Stafford County Sheriff's Office Press Release (dated Feb 25, 2008)

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office is asking if there are any other victims of this type of assault by Mr. Johnson to contact the Sheriff's Office at 540-658-4450.

Feb 25 - The Free Lance-Star provides more details.

The victim, who was spending the night with Johnson's daughter, told police that Johnson tried to pull her underwear down as she was sleeping in a guest bedroom on the second floor, the affidavit states.

The girl said she woke up about 6 a.m. Feb. 18 and felt a hand on her left buttocks pulling on her underwear. She rolled over before the underwear came down and saw Johnson kneeling next to the bed.

The girl said she told Johnson to "go" in a firm voice, and he didn't move or say anything. She then ran to his daughter's room down the hall, the affidavit states.

The two girls went to Johnson's wife and told her what had happened. Johnson tried to talk to the girls, court records state, but the visiting girl refused to talk to him. The mother then drove her home.

NEW CHARGES Feb 29 - Two more girls have come forward with molestation allegations against Johnson.

Stafford Sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy yesterday announced that Johnson is facing four additional charges involving two other girls.

Both girls claim they were molested at Johnson’s home. Kennedy said one girl was 12 when she was abused in June or July of last year: the other was 13 when the incident involving her happened in September.

The new charges against Johnson are two counts of aggravated sexual battery and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

COURT DATE May 29 - Johnson was arraigned Wednesday. He is charged with aggravated sexual battery, two counts of attempted aggravated sexual battery, taking indecent liberties with a minor and two counts of attempted indecent liberties. A jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 15.

GUILTY PLEA October 16 - Johnson pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual battery and two counts of attempted custodial indecent liberties with a child. Three other charges were dropped.

Johnson had a misdemeanor sexual assault conviction in Michigan in 1982.

DeWitt, ARKANSAS

October 15, 2008 - Clint Bouscher, 30, a DeWitt High School teacher and bus driver, was arrested Oct. 15 and charged with three counts of sexual assault in the first degree.

The student was in Bouscher’s ninth-grade English class at DHS during the 2007-2008 school year. Bouscher was suspended by the district Oct. 9.
Full Name: Clint Daniel Bouscher

Midlothian, VIRGINIA

SENTENCED Dec 13, 2007 - Daniella H. Kyriakides, 54, a substitute ** art teacher at Clover Hill High School, was arrested and charged with embezzling money from a school's band booster club.

Police allege that Kyriakides stole about $4,900 from the booster club when she was the club's president and treasurer. Kyriakides has been released pending a court appearance in January.
The incident is still under investigation.

TT - the reason we cover these kinds of stories is because most often the only sentence handed out is probation with a promise to repay the money. That works out fine for the school district and the band club but it is hardly something you want to teach students.
** Substitute - from this article.

SENTENCED (Sorta) Sept 30, 2008 - Kyriakides entered an Alford plea of guilt to one count of embezzlement. She was sentenced to three years in prison -- all suspended. Kyriakides repaid the entire $4,900 sum soon after the club's new treasurer, who discovered the discrepancies.

Madison, WISCONSIN

October 13, 2008 - Todd M. Strang, 36, a high school teacher, was charged with two felony counts of having sex with a student over the age of 16.

The criminal complaint alleges that Todd M. Strang was a teacher at a high school in Lafayette County in 2000 and 2001 and engaged in sexual intercourse at his residence with a student who was attending the high school while Strang was employed as a teacher at the school.

The incidents occurred while the student was a junior and senior at the high school. A status conference is scheduled for Dec. 16.

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TT Note: Location will change when find out the name of the school. There currently is no press release online from the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office that is the source for the news stories.

Deland, ILLINOIS

Feb 28, 2007 - Randy DeJaynes, 56, was arrested Tuesday evening for investigation of alleged sexual acts with one or more male students.

An English teacher at DeLand-Weldon High School, DeJaynes is being held on $15,000 bail. He is on paid administrative leave.
Full Name: Randy L. DeJaynes

Update - Thanks to correction by poster. DeJaynes views were conservative.

NOT GUILTY PLEA Mar 30 - DeJaynes pleaded not guilty. The attorney representing DeJaynes, entered the plea and requested a jury trial. DeJaynes was placed on paid administrative leave by the Deland-Weldon School District. The school board later decided not to rehire DeJaynes for the coming school year. DeJaynes has been teaching full-time at Deland-Weldon for the past two years.

DeJaynes, is also facing child pornography charges in Macon County following a March 22 grand jury indictment for allegedly possessing, with intent to disseminate, photographs of a boy younger than 18 in a sexual act.

RESIGNATION Apr 17 - DeJaynes resigned.

GUILTY PLEA August 27, 2008 - Randy DeJaynes pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Under a deal with prosecutors, he'll be sentenced to two years probation.

Assistant State's Attorney Elizabeth Dobson says prosecutors plan to drop charges alleging DeJaynes molested some male students at DeLand-Weldon High School.

TT - Something is very odd about that whole thing.

SENTENCED (Sorta) October 7 - DeJaynes was sentenced to two years' probation. Prosecutors have said they plan to drop charges accusing the former English teacher of molesting students at DeLand–Weldon High School, 25 miles northeast of Decatur

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

Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA

June 12, 2008 - Alan P. Hubbard, 49, a Los Angeles Unified School District administrator surrendered today to face charges that he withheld evidence against another a colleague who was charged with sex-related crimes involving three girls.

Hubbard will be arraigned on Friday on one felony count each of obstruction of justice and being an accessory after the fact, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors allege that Hubbard knew about the relationship between Steve Thomas Rooney and a student but did not report it. In addition, he is accused of dissuading the girl from reporting the relationship to authorities, according to the District Attorney's Office.

The young woman -- who has sued Rooney and the school district -- testified that she initially spoke with police in early 2007 about her relationship with Rooney, but recanted after speaking with a dean at the school because she was still in love with Rooney.

Full Name: Alan P. Hubbard
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TT - Hubbard's name previously showed up in a story about Lief Arnesen Albaugh, the 27-year-old band teacher arrested at the same school on pornography charges. TT - entry

[T]he Foshay dean, who was identified by authorities in court as "Mr. Hubbard," kept photos, notes and a scrapbook that documented the relationship between Rooney and a former Foshay student. Among the materials, presented by prosecutors in court last month, were photos showing Rooney and the underage girl kissing.

Despite that, Rooney was transferred to another school where he was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and two counts of sexually assaulting a student. Since then, he has been charged with molesting two other students. TT entry for Rooney

Two senior administrators were relieved of their duties while the district has charged them with failure to investigate Rooney before his transfer. TT entry

Los Angeles District Attorney's Office Press Release (dated June 12, 2008)
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June 13 - Reportedly, Hubbard allegedly received the materials in spring 2007 from a friend of the former student who had collected them. One photo showed Rooney and the girl kissing. Rooney's relationship with the girl started when she was 15.

When detectives interviewed Hubbard, he told them he was "keeping them for Rooney" and said he didn't know exactly what the items were.

When detectives learned about the photo, they demanded Hubbard turn over the materials.

In separate cases, police have arrested a principal in Westchester for child pornography and a coach in Van Nuys for sexual assault of a girl. Both arrests were announced at the press conference on Hubbard.

SENTENCED (Sorta) October 7 - Hubbard pleaded no contest Monday to a charge of failing to turn over evidence. As part of a plea agreement, Judge Alex Ricciardulli sentenced Hubbard to three years' probation, 60 days of service on a road crew and $220 in fines. The government dropped a second charge of obstructing justice, which referred to Hubbard's alleged efforts to dissuade the girl from cooperating with police.

Hubbard also faces a lawsuit filed by the former Foshay student, which includes some new allegations. The suit states that the girl's Spanish-speaking grandmother went to Foshay near the end of 2006 because she "suspected Rooney was sexually exploiting" the girl.

Hubbard allegedly served as a translator when another staff member told the grandmother that she should "keep quiet because it would hurt [the girl's] reputation and assured her that Rooney would be transferred to another school."

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TT - No mention, and, of course the Los Angeles Times wasn't interested enough to ask, whether Hubbard will lose his teaching and administrator license.

Morristown, NEW YORK

April 30, 2008 -
Daniel Frick, 38, a music teacher at Morristown Central School, was arrested yesterday and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor for an inappropriate relationship with a female student.

According to St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells, the charges stem from hand-holding, kissing and other inappropriate behavior. The relationship was considered injurious to the mental and moral welfare of the student. The girl was 16.

Frick was previously an instructor at the Salmon River and St. Lawrence Central School districts. He has been a teacher at Morristown for a year and a half. Frick has been suspended with pay.
Full Name: Daniel G. Frick

GUILTY PLEA August 1 - Frick pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child-endangerment charge July 17th in Morristown Village Court. The investigation revealed Mr. Frick and the girl had sex at the school several times after her 17th birthday, which isn't a crime, investigators said.

Morristown Superintendent Beverly L. Ouderkirk said Thursday that Mr. Frick's employment ends Wednesday. Frick will be sentenced October 2nd.

SENTENCED (Sorta) October 3 - Frick was sentenced 60 days in the St. Lawrence County Jail and three years probation on a guilty plea to a charge of child endangerment. The time is to be served on the weekends.

Grand Junction, COLORADO

Feb 21, 2008 - Matt Lindholm, 32, has been released on bond and will be tracked by a Global Positioning System ankle monitor. Lindholm was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexual assault on a child. He is a business teacher at Central High School.

Lindholm is accused of kissing and fondling a female student during separate incidents at the school this year. A parent told the principal Feb 9 that she heard that Lindholm was “getting too close” to the girl. Lindholm is married. Central High School Athletics Director Paul Cain said he warned Lindholm at the end of the 2006-2007 school year about getting too close to the student, according to Lindholm’s arrest affidavit.

Lindholm faces charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual assault on a child as a pattern of abuse.

INEXPLICABLE NOTE IN STORY

District 51 spokesman Jeff Kirtland said the school district will implement new training on ethical behavior for all of its employees in the fall, but the training was not prompted solely by this investigation. He said school supervisors are required to act on information of improprieties by staff, but that information can’t be speculative.

“There’s the expectation that issues are resolved on a factual basis and in the best interest for students,” he said.

Kirtland said the district does not have a policy for a time line in which staff members are required to report allegations of misconduct against other staff members.

Posted Comment at newspaper site.

As a former high school teacher, I just can't understand how teachers end up with these "lapses in judgment." I don't get what makes them think it's a good idea to do anything that might somehow be deemed inappropriate with a student. It takes a lot of work to become a good teacher, to be respected and to get a good job at a school you love. Why would anyone jeopardize that, and the reputation of a student? I feel bad for him because now he'll have this stigma to deal with forever. I feel bad for the student involved because she's going to face a lot of unwanted and unnecessary attention as well.

Lindholm will be formally advised of his charges March 4.

RESIGNED Feb 26 - Lindholm resigned his teaching position in a one-sentence letter. Investigators, according to Lindholm’s arrest affidavit, also uncovered letters, e-mails, text messages and gifts showing the teacher’s romantic feelings for the student. Investigators learned he might have kissed and had other inappropriate contact with a student starting at the end of the 2006-2007 school year.

IN COURT March 6 - Lindholm was granted supervised visits of relatives with supervision by an adult over 18. Conditions of his bond required him to have no contact with children under 18. Today his attorney asked for an exception to one of those conditions so Lindholm could see his 5 and 11 year old nephews and his 2 year old niece in the care of his parents. The prosecution did not object and the judge granted the motion.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING October 7 - Lindholm had pleaded guilty in July to a felony charge of attempted sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. He was sentenced to five years intensive probation for the attempted sexual assault of a student. He must also register as a sex offender.

The victim’s mother told Mesa County District Judge Richard Gurley that Lindholm’s actions severed ties between her and the teenager, and also damaged the teen’s relationships with her friends and others on the basketball team.

“I always wanted to believe children are safe,” the victim’s mother said. “(She) was taken advantage of. He manipulated her into thinking her life should revolve around him. Mr. Lindholm stole these years away from (her) and me.”

The victim’s family members said the teen was subjected to ridicule and harassment from parents and other students this year after news of the student and teacher relationship emerged.

The punishment, however, did not fit the crime, according to statements from the victim, her mother, father and stepfather, who wanted Lindholm to spend some time in jail.

National City, CALIFORNIA

July 16, 2008 - Craig Kelso, 38, a teacher at Granger Junior High, was arrested Tuesday, accused of having a sexual relationship with a a 15-year-old girl at the school. Kelso had disappeared several days ago after the molestation allegations surfaced.

A threat to his estranged wife, a teacher at Otay Ranch High School, prompted a one-hour lockdown earlier in the day. Police officers from Chula Vista and National City circled the campus with pistols and shotguns drawn as helicopters flew overhead. The lockdown was lifted about 3:30 p.m.
Full Name: Craig Edward Kelso

NBC San Diego (July 15) Kelso was booked into San Diego County Jail. He is charged with 22 counts of child molestation, three counts of sodomy and seven counts of unlawful sex with a minor. His bail was set at $900,000. Police did not say how they found out about the alleged sexual relationship, but they began their investigation last week.

Anyone with information on Kelso's case is asked to call the National City Police Department at 619-336-4411 or Crime Stoppers at 619-888 580-8477.

GUILTY PLEA September 8 - Kelso pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor, committing a lewd act on a child 14 or 15 years old and oral copulation on a person under 16. The plea agreement calls for four years and four months in state prison.

Eighteen other charges, including trying to dissuade a witness from reporting a crime, were dismissed as a result of Kelso's guilty plea. He will be sentenced October 7.

SENTENCED October 7 - Kelso was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months in prison. Eighteen other charges, including trying to dissuade a witness from reporting a crime, were dismissed by Judge Esteban Hernandez as a result of Kelso's guilty plea.

El Paso, TEXAS

48 months in prison, followed by 10 years of probation. Registration as a sex offender for life.

March 20, 2008 -
Eduardo Rivas, 55, a fifth-grade teacher at Bliss Elementary School, was arrested, accused of fondling a student, according to the FBI.

Rivas had recently resigned from the school that is on federal property making it a case for the FBI. The incident allegedly took place on campus. The student, whose gender was not revealed, was younger than 12.

Rivas was arrested on a charge of abusive sexual contact with a minor. He will have his initial court appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on Thursday afternoon.

TT - School is listed as Bliss Elementary School at the El Paso ISD.

Anyone with information on this case may call the FBI at 832-5000.

March 20 - The El Paso Times is reporting that the criminal complaint stated that Rivas admitted to FBI and military investigators that he fantasized about children and that he intentionally brushed up against female students since he began teaching in 1978-79.

According to a criminal complaint filed by an FBI agent, Rivas alleged touched the breasts of 10-year-old girl, while helping her on March 7 when she hurt her ankle at Bliss Elementary School on Fort Bliss.

BOND April 1 - Despite prosecution's efforts to hold Rivas without bond because they consider him a flight risk, U.S. Magistrate Richard P. Mesa signed an order on Monday granting Eduardo Rayo Rivas, 55, a $10,000 bond.

Conditions of Release (from KVIA ABC)

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Oct 9 - Rivas pleaded guilty earlier this year to inappropriately touching a 10-year-old girl in his 5th grade class at Bliss Elementary.

Judge David Briones sentenced Rivas to 48 months in prison, plus 10 years probation, adding "I wish I could give you a higher sentence Mr. Rivas, but I can't." Forty-eight months was the maximum confinement time.

Rivas will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Rivas is still certified to teach in Texas, and has been for 30 years, although he is currently under review from the State Board of Education. Rivas has taught at at least three other schools before teaching at Bliss.

Indianapolis, INDIANA

May 15, 2008 - Sheila Vazquez, 37, a teacher at the Renaissance School, was arrested, accused of sexual impropriety with a 15-year-old male student.

Renaissance School is an alternative facility for about 200 students in Grades 6-12 who are either having disciplinary problems or considered at risk of dropping out.

According to a police report, the student told authorities Vasquez first had engaged in flirtatious behavior with him.

The two eventually concocted a plan, the student told police, for Vasquez to arrange to take the student on a special lunch outing that would be described to administrators as a reward for recent improvements in the boy's classroom performance. The two intended instead to go to the teacher's home for sex, the boy told police.

Court papers show the relationship came out earlier this month when the boy was approached about an end-of-the-year field trip to Kings Island. She is on paid administrative leave.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING (Sorta) October 3 - Vasquez pleaded guilty to one count and was sentenced (sorta) to two years of home confinement.

She pleaded guilty this morning to one count in exchange for a maximum eight years in prison.

Prosecutors asked for at least four years in prison, but Court Commissioner Stan Kroh gave Vasquez two years in home detention, followed by four years on sex offender probation. She will have to register as a sex offender.Vasquez, Fishers, apologized for her conduct and asked for leniency. She has three young children.

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TT - There's a lesson here: Abuse someone else's child and then plea with a lowercase judge for leniency so you can take care of your own child. Where the heck is the justice for the victim or for his family in that??????

Especially when your read: "Vasquez arranged the trip by telling his foster parents that she was taking the student on a special lunch outing to reward him for recent improvements in classroom performance. She brought along a female student who stayed downstairs during the tryst, prosecutors said."

Phillipsburg, NEW JERSEY

Sentenced in Pennsylvania to 15 to 30 years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
Still to be sentenced in New Jersey.

Jan 24, 2008 - Keri Brekne, 28, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Lopatcong Township Middle School, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at the teacher's home.

Brekne was arraigned on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors. Police said Brekne drove the victim from her home in New Jersey to Brekne's residence in Pennsylvania, where the assaults happened between last July and this month.

A preliminary is scheduled for Feb 1.
Full Name: Keri Ann Brekne or Keriann Brekne

Jan 25 - Warren County prosecutors filed separate charges of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct, aggravated criminal sexual assault and two counts of criminal sexual contact for incidents that allegedly occurred in Lopatcong Township between June 1 and Sept. 30, 2007.

Police said Brekne provided the girl with a cell phone so they could stay in contact. The girl's parents found the phone, which police said contained sexually explicit text messages. The girl told police where to find a sexual device in the bedroom of Brekne's Bethlehem home.

Brekne was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Gay L. Elwell of Easton and committed to Northampton County Prison under $75,000 bail. On the New Jersey charges, Superior Court Judge John H. Pursel set bail at $150,000.

Location is always the school location.

SUSPENDED Feb 20 - Brekne has been suspended with pay. Her salary is $46,012.

PLEA AGREEMENT Feb 29 - Brekne agreed at a hearing Friday before District Judge James Narlesky to plead guilty to five counts of aggravated indecent assault. She may plead guilty next month to sexual assault-related charges in New Jersey in connection with the same victim.

PLEA AGREEMENT REJECTED - March 28 - Brekne rejected a plea bargain Thursday calling for a prison sentence of up to 10 years. The charges in Warren County are now set to go before a grand jury.

The victim's father has called for the maximum sentence allowed, in both states.

"It infuriates us that Brekne's attorney comments that his client wants to get on with her life and put this behind her when in fact our child, our family and our community are forever impacted by her selfish, hideous and abusive acts we want to be sure she never has the opportunity to harm another child again," the 14-year-old's father told WFMZ-TV on Thursday. His name was withheld to protect the victim's identity.

GUILTY PLEA July 31 - In Northampton County, Brekne pleaded guilty to five counts of felony aggravated indecent sexual assault and faces an unlikely maximum of 50 years in prison. She admitted molesting the girl in her Bethlehem home.

Her sentencing in Northampton County is scheduled for Oct. 3, and she will be sentenced on the Warren County conviction sometime later. (Earlier this month, she pleaded guilty in Pennsylvania to five counts of aggravated indecent assault that each carry penalties of between 22 months and 10 years in prison.) She will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life.

Brekne has been in prison since a July 9 plea hearing when Northampton County Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden revoked her bail.

August 12 - Ann Brekne will officially lose her teaching position this evening during a meeting of the Lopatcong Township Board of Education.

SENTENCED October 11 - Brekne was sentenced in Pennsylvania to 15 to 30 years in prison.

''In 20 years on the bench, I have not seen a case as heinous as this one,'' Judge Kimberly McFadden said in a courtroom packed with about 85 supporters of the girl and her family and about 15 for Brekne.

Brekne will have to register as a sexual offender for the rest of her life, and she has surrendered her teaching certificate.

In New Jersey, she has also pleaded guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the girl, and faces up to five to 10 years in prison when she is sentenced in three to six months, said Kevin Brotzman, a Warren County assistant prosecutor.

Sunnyvale, TEXAS

Middle school teacher sentenced to ten years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release and registration as a sex offender.

June 14, 2007 - Police arrested Chad Hutchins, 28, a computer teacher at Sunnyvale Middle School, for possession of child pornography.

Someone tipped off police that Hutchins had child pornography. The Sunnyvale Independent School District chose not to renew his contract this year for reasons not associated with the arrest. Before taking the Sunnyvale job, he taught at the Texas Can! Academy in Dallas

Bail is set at $50,000.
Full Name: Chad Michael Hutchins

June 15 - From Pegasus News: Law enforcement officials indicate that Hutchins may have corresponded with female Jr. High students through Myspace.com. They also include the press release from the school district.

GUILTY PLEA & SENTENCING Hutchins, who pleaded guilty in May to one count of child pornography possession, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The judge also ordered that Hutchins serve 15-years of supervised release following prison and register as a sex offender.
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U.S. Dept. of Justice Press Release (dated October 10, 2008)

Hutchins admitted, in documents filed in Court, that on June 12, 2007, he owned three computers at his residence in Forney, and that he knew that they contained hundreds of images of child pornography. He further admitted that some of the images were of prepubescent minors and some portrayed sadistic and/or masochistic conduct. He possessed well over 600 images, many of which he obtained by using the computers on which he had installed file sharing software.

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

Byron Center, MICHIGAN

In Australia, they call it "upskirting."

August 1, 2007 - Steven Sanger, 40, a Byron Center High School teacher, been charged with taking pictures up the skirt of a 15-year-old student.

The student immediately told school authorities.

Police used a warrant to search Sanger's residence, including all his computers. He was then arrested after a thorough investigation.

On Wednesday, Sanger was arraigned on one count of capturing/distributing images of the undergarments, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Source: WOOD-tv 8

Also see Grand Rapids Press story.

PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING: August 16 - A probable cause hearing is underway.

Sanger smiled and nodded at his accuser as she took the stand, after which she broke down in sobs.

The girl said Sanger was her science teacher and her adviser during the past school year, her freshman year. She said she was in class June 12 when Sanger called her to the front of the room to look over a test.

She said the 40-year-old teacher positioned himself so that she was standing between his legs. She was wearing a knee-length skirt.

"I noticed while he was writing answers on the test, he would glance down at something," the girl said under questioning by Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Helen Brinkman. "So I looked down and saw him holding the camera under my skirt."

When questioned by Sanger's attorney, Daniel Watkins, the girl said she was not upset by the grades she received from Sanger and she said that as many as seven people were standing around the area where she claims the crime occurred.

The teen's friend, 16-year-old Jenna Maleport, said she was in the classroom at the time and looking over Sanger's shoulder, she saw a picture of her friend's undergarments on the camera's display screen.

Sept 11 - A judge has determined that there is enough evidence presented to meet the threshold of probable cause a crime may have occurred. Sanger will face felony charges.

June 27, 2008 - A judge has allowed the images found on a digiztal data card found in Sanger's computer bag to be used in his upcoming trial. Three of the images were, apparently, taken in a classroom. The trial is scheduled for August 4.

TRIAL COVERAGE
Aug 6 - Secretary describes teacher as distraught after allegedly taking a picture up student's skirt
She testified that she saw him wandering around distraught and muttering to himself: "I think I went too far this time." "He said he wasn't sure if he'd taken the picture or not," she said.
Aug 9 - Jury finds former Byron Center teacher guilty of taking picture under student's skirt

GUILTY VERDICT August 10, 2008 - A Kent County jury on Friday found Steven Sanger guilty of attempting to capture or distribute an image of an unclothed person. He will be sentenced Sept. 30.

SENTENCED October 7 - Sanger was sentenced to six months in jail after getting a 15-minute tongue-lashing from a Kent County Circuit Court judge Judge Paul Sullivan.

Even though the county probation department suggested no jail time, Sullivan said after sitting through the entire trial held in August, he is convinced the jury made the right decision. Capturing images of an unclothed person is a potential five-year felony and Sanger's sentencing guidelines called for between zero and six months in jail.

"The real damage to the victim in this case was, in my opinion, your maintaining of your innocence," Sullivan told Sanger. "I've got to believe that some of the tears she shed up here were not because of the act but because of the consequences of the act."

Sullivan said he recognizes that Sanger and his family have suffered, but he said it is suffering caused by Sanger's acts.

Sanger's attorney said he had lost his job, his home, his standing in the community and now works for a tool-and-die shop.

He will have to serve 30 months probation following his release.

Napa, CALIFORNIA

Miss McWilliams won't be in this week, kids, because.... ah... well...

Sept 8, 2007 - Roxanne McWilliams, 49, a third-grade teacher at Pueblo Vista Elementary School, was arrested for attempted murder for shooting her boyfriend. Several times.
He managed to call police. He is in critical but stable condition.

LAWSUITS Nov 29 - The victim has filed a lawsuit against McWilliams.

James Talley has filed a civil lawsuit against Roxanne McWilliams for personal injuries he suffered when she shot him on Sept. 8, three times in the back while he was sleeping and twice more after he crawled to the bathroom floor of the home the couple shared on Redwood Road in North Napa.

McWilliams also faces felony criminal charges for the incident.

After three weeks in the intensive care unit at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Talley, 50, has recovered from the gunshot wounds. Three bullets, however, still remain lodged in his upper chest and back. He must undergo more surgeries.

She filed a cross complaint, alleging abuse. He's wanted on domestic violence warrants in Texas. A preliminary is scheduled for Monday to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial.

PRELIMINARY HEARING Dec 6 - At the end of the two-day preliminary hearing, Napa County Superior Court Judge Stephen Kroyer found there was sufficient evidence to try McWilliams. “The evidence is clear that the defendant willfully and premeditated intended to kill Mr. Talley that night,” Kroyer said.

Kroyer also bound McWilliams over for other felony counts of assault with a firearm and special allegations of intentional discharge of a firearm and causing great bodily harm.

She will be arraigned on Dec. 20.

ARRAIGNMENT Dec 20 - McWilliams pleaded not guilty. McWilliams, police said, admitted to police she leaving the house after the shooting, ditching the gun under a lawn mower at a nearby school and returning to the house where she was taken into custody.

At her preliminary hearing the court found her to answer to willful and premeditated attempted murder with special enhancements of assault with a firearm and intentional discharge or a firearm, causing great bodily harm. She is free on $250,000 bail and is now living with relatives.

A trial is scheduled for April 7. It is expected to last two to three weeks.

PLEA & SENTENCING October 9, 2008 - McWilliams pleaded no contest to one count of assault with a firearm (and two sentencing enhancements) and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Prosecutors say the plea and sentencing was appropriate given the domestic violence allegations.

The intended victim and live-in boyfriend JamesTalley has sued McWilliams in civil court for causing his injuries. McWilliams counter-sued, saying Talley was abusive to her. The civil matter has been delayed until after the criminal proceedings wrap up.

See "Schoolteacher sentenced to 8 years for shooting boyfriend"

Burley, IDAHO

Story dated May 9, 2007 - James Pepcorn, 67, a retired teacher, was arrested and charged with one count of rape and one count of lewd conduct with a child under 16 years old.

Pepcorn was hired by Cassia County School District in 1966, and taught at Burley High School for six years. He then transferred to Burley Junior High School, where he taught science until he retired in 1994, according to school district records.

The Pepcorn family indicated he used the threat of violence against family members to prevent disclosure and told them he would never go to jail, which prompted the bond to be set so high.When Pepcorn was arrested he was armed with a 9 mm handgun, but was placed under arrest without incident. He's being held on a $1 million bond. (Bail reduced to $100,000 in June.)
NEW CHARGES Nov 19 - The trial has been delayed. New charges have been added. A Special Prosecutor took over the case when Minidoka County Prosecutor Jason Walker recused himself to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Walker's law firm at the time had represented Pepcorn in a civil matter some years earlier.

A preliminary will be held on the new charges new charges of two counts of lewd conduct and one count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16, stem from the testimony of a second alleged victim who has come forward since Pepcorn's arrest in April.

The first victim is now in her 20s. Bail for Pepcorn was originally set at $1 million, then reduced to $100,000 in May. Stipulations for bail reduction require monitoring of his location with a Global Positioning System tracker.

NEW CHARGES Feb 6, 2008 - Judge Rick Bollar found sufficient evidence to move forward with newly-filed lewd conduct and sexual abuse charges against Pepcorn. Since his arrest, new charges have been filed including two counts of lewd conduct and one count of sexual abuse of a minor child.

Charges are expected to be combined as one case at a Feb. 11 hearing

NOT GUILTY PLEA March 10 - Pepcorn pleaded not guilty. He faces several charges of rape and lewd conduct with a minor, recently filed by Fifth District Court Judge John Melanson. Now it needs to be decided if the two cases will be combined before it all goes to trial. A consolidation hearing will be scheduled for April 28.

TENTATIVE TRIAL DATE Judge Melanson has set a tentative June 18th jury trial date, with a June 9th pretrial. We'll know by late April if the two cases can be combined.

GUILTY VERDICT October 3 - A jury deliberated for more than five hours Thursday before finding Pepcorn guilty of 3 counts of lewd conduct with a child, rape and two counts of sexual abuse of a child. A judge had agreed to move the trial to Twin Falls due to excessive pretrial publicity.

SENTENCING DATE Times News (Oct 4) Pepcorn could face life in prison

Pepcorn took the stand in his trial that spanned more than a week. He said he molested other children more than 30 years ago due to a hyperactive sex drive, but stopped after the 1970s.

The statue of limitations has passed on those crimes . He will be sentenced Dec. 15 in Minidoka County.