This true crime case involves a school custodial supervisor and several male students—most were friends of the employee’s son. The employee also coached baseball, mostly private leagues. His son testified his father had never sexually abused him. The six victims testified their abuse began when they were in 8th grade.
He maintained his innocence throughout his trial, in fact, accused the teenage male victims of lying about their claims—calling the allegations ‘a bunch of malarkey’ when on the stand.
While proclaiming his innocence, he admitted to having conversations with the boys about sex, personal hygiene, purchasing a sex device for one boy, and giving them massages. And he admitted to having sexual photos of young boys on his phone. He also put a reflective film on his school office windows so that nobody could see into his office, which is where some boys testified the abuse took place.
When a prosecutor asked one boy why he hadn’t come forward, the boy said he thought people wouldn’t believe him. A common belief child sexual abuse victims are repeatedly told throughout the grooming phase and while being abused.
Although the court ordered he and his wife (a teacher employed at the same school district) not discuss the case, the former employee created a code that he and his wife could use to discuss the allegations during phone conversations. Since the code communications were not intended for his attorney, the court decided the letter to his wife with the codes and the code key from his cell were not privileged.
The school superintendent said,
“The trial has been emotional for our close-knit community. The abuse, as described during the trial, was shocking and heartbreaking for all those affected.”
A jury found him guilty on nine counts of rape, six counts of sexual battery, eleven counts of gross sexual imposition, and three counts of pander obscenity involving minors. The judge sentenced him to 101 years in prison. His earliest parole eligibility is in 2120.
The victims have filed a lawsuit against the school district, the ex-employee and his wife. In the lawsuit, the victims claim messages with sexual content were brought to the attention of school administrators. Charges against the wife may still happen. Prosecutors have not disclosed what her level of culpability is. #sexualpredator #sexcrime
Source: Ohio Supreme Court, ABC Action News 13, Newsbreak, CBS WTOL11