Jack Owens
12-12-08

A former Whitwell High School teacher and coach has been arrested and charged with 18 total counts.

Nathan Powell, 28 of Whitwell, was charged with nine counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and nine counts of aggravated statutory rape, according to information from the Marion County Sheriff‘s Department.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Children’s services started investigating allegations about Powell in April.

Former Athletic Trainer Admits to Underage Sex (12/12/08)

Jason Lancaster
12-07-08

A Grand jurors indicted a Blackman High School teacher on multiple counts of solicitation of a minor.

Blackman English teacher Jason Lancaster, 36, was indicted on three counts of solicitation of a minor to commit aggravated statutory rape, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and four counts of solicitation of a minor to commit statutory rape by an authority figure.

Sheriff’s Detective Mickey McCullough presented evidence before grand jurors who returned the indictments Wednesday. Lancaster turned himself in Thursday afternoon to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.

McCullough said he received complaints of inappropriate behavior of Lancaster toward students in early October when he launched his investigation.

"The allegations were of inappropriate contact with children of a sexual nature," McCullough said.

He could not comment more on the specifics of the case.

Rutherford County schools suspended Lancaster in October after receiving a report of allegations of improper sexual conduct through electronic communications with two female students at the school. Staff attorney Angel McCloud said Lancaster remains suspended.

Blackman High teacher indicted on sexual offenses (12/07/08)

Kenneth Thompson Anderson
12-07-08

A former high school teacher already in prison for sex offenses will serve additional time for another crime. Friday, a judge sentenced Kenneth Anderson to nine more years. Anderson was convicted of sexual battery by an authority figure. The abuse happened two years ago at Smyrna High School, where Anderson was teaching at the time.

The 16-year-old girl involved was his student. Anderson is already serving a year in prison for having sex with a 13-year-old girl from Antioch.

Former Teacher Will Serve 9 More Years (12/05/08)
Former Smyrna teacher convicted in sex case (10/15/08)
Trial for teacher who faces rape charges delayed (08/04/08)
Ex-Teacher Gets Year In Jail For Sex Crimes (04/03/08)
Former Teacher Sentenced For Raping Teen Girl (1/31/08)
Former Smyrna teacher sentenced for sex with 14-year-old (1/30/08)
Former Smyrna High teacher found guilty on rape, assault charges (9/26/07)
Nashville Police Department Press Release (2/03/06)

Jessica Percifull
12-05-08

A biology teacher at Northeast High School was arrested Thursday and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.

Jessica Percifull, 26, was released the same day from Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Jim Knoll, public information officer for the Clarksville Police Department, said last week that the allegation against the teacher was turned over to the Child Advocacy Center, and was being investigated by Detective Ginger Fitting.

Elise Shelton, chief communications officer for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, said last week that Percifull was under investigation and was put on administrative leave Nov. 1.

This is the second year of teaching for Percifull at Northeast, the high school with the largest student enrollment in the district.

Northeast High teacher charged with sex crime (12/05/08)

Sandra Binkley
12-04-08

One by one, three teens took the witness stand and described alleged sexual encounters with a popular Portland High School math teacher.

The boys testified at a preliminary hearing Wednesday they met up with Sandra Binkley, 36, in a locker room office, a classroom closet and her car and home. She is charged with three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and one count of sexual battery by an authority figure.

David Ridings, Binkley's attorney, focused on their fuzzy recollections and also claimed that one of the teens had raped Binkley in the office. The teen denied it.

"I don't force sex upon anybody, never," testified the teenager, who graduated from Portland High School over the summer. In the end, Special Judge Randy Lucas found probable cause to send the case to a grand jury. Ridings' defense is that Binkley was raped and the two other teens are lying to protect her attacker. Ridings' questioning was a preview of the case that ultimately could go to trial.

Students testify to having sex with teacher (12/04/08)
Rape charges put popular teacher’s career on hold (10/21/08)
Portland teacher faces additional charges (10/01/08)
2 More Students Say Had Sex With Teacher (10/01/08)
Teacher Arrested For Allegedly Sleeping With Student At School (09/25/08)
Portland teacher arrested on statutory rape charge (09/25/08)

Montgomery "Monty" Koons
11-18-07

Former Oak Ridge school teacher Montgomery T. "Monty" Koons will serve one year in jail and six more years of probation in connection to a statutory rape case involving a girl he was mentoring.

Koons pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated statutory rape in November 2007 after admitting to having a sexual relationship in 2006 with a 15-year-old girl. He was counseling the victim with her mother's permission, often taking her to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, to coffee shops and to his house.

Koons, now 51, began to have a sexual relationship with the girl in June 2006, and earlier court records state the two had sex on a daily basis for several months. He and the victim also wrote each other letters professing their love and used a secret code to describe their future, the court records stated.

"I can't grant probation," said Criminal Court Judge Don Elledge Monday after an seven-hour sentencing hearing. He said probation would diminish the seriousness of the unlawful act.

Ex-teacher gets 1 year (11/18/08)
Koons hearing continued to June 6 (3/17/08)
Oak Ridge teacher pleads guilty to statutory rape charges (11/05/07)
Oak Ridge teacher under investigation for student relationship (9/19/06)
Oak Ridge teacher accused of sex with student (12/07/06)

Corey DeHart
11-17-08

Prosecutors today dropped charges against a Halls High School teacher accused of having sex with a student.

Corey DeHart, who had been suspended from his post as a math teacher after a student filed a complaint against him in September 2007, had faced six counts of multiple sex acts ranging from statutory rape to sexual battery by an authority figure.

However, those charges were dropped at a brief hearing this morning before Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner.

"Basically our case evaporated," said John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols.

Defense attorney Mike Nassios had unearthed evidence that called into question the account of DeHart's accuser and developed his own evidence that Gill said "explained away" what prosecutors had thought was evidence backing up the student's claim.

Student-sex charges dropped against Halls High teacher (11/17/08)
November trial set for Halls teacher accused of sex with student (05/13/08)
Halls teacher accused of sexual battery (04/17/08)
Halls High teacher charged with having sex with student (04/17/08)

Robert Thomas Allen
11-07-08

A Franklin County teacher, Robert Thomas Allen, Jr., 39, of Winchester, Tennessee, has been arrested by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexual battery by an authority figure, a Class C Felony.

According to Grundy County Sheriff Brent Myers, on October 21, 2008 the Department of Children’s Services received a report of molestation from the parents of a 17-year-old male child. Sheriff Myers stated that his office then received a referral from DCS case manager Greta Duncan on October 24.

In the warrant, the child alleges that on August 30, 2008, the defendant Robert Thomas Allen, Jr. sexually assaulted him at the Bear Hollow Retreat in Monteagle, Tennessee, which is a part of Grundy County and the Twelfth Judicial District of Tennessee.

The victim was interviewed on October 29, 2008 by law enforcement. He stated, "the defendant, Robert Thomas Allen, Jr. kissed him in the mouth and ran his hand down his pants and touched his genital area."

Teacher Arrested For Sexual Battery (11/07/08)

Kevin Spurling
10-29-08

ACriminal Court Judge Eugene Eblen sentenced a former school teacher to 90 days in jail for his guilty plea on statutory rape. Kevin Spurling, who taught in the Knox County school system, accepted a plea agreement with prosecutors in July for a two-year sentence.

Spurling was asking for judicial diversion and no jail time, but Eblen said he didn’t feel it was proper. After the 90-day jail stint, Spurling will serve the remainder of his two-year sentence on probation.

Eblen said Spurling, 43, will also have to comply with the rules of the state sex-offender treatment group. “I am pleased,” said the victim’s mother, Carlotta Ward, following Monday’s sentencing hearing.

Eblen set a Jan. 5, 2009, report date for Spurling to start serving his jail sentence. Public defender Walter Johnson hinted that he may appeal Eblen’s decision to not grant judicial diversion.

Spurling sentenced for sex with underage girl (10/29/08)

Amy Elder
10-23-08

A former West Tennessee teacher accused of having sex with a student has been convicted of child abuse.

Amy Elder, a 28-year-old former teacher and softball coach at Ripley High School, was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

She went to trial charged with sexual battery and statutory rape by an authority figure but was convicted Wednesday night in Ripley on lesser charges of child abuse.

Elder testified in her own defense and denied having sexual contact with the teenager.

Sentencing is set for December. Elder was convicted on nine criminal counts, each carrying a maximum punishment of 11 months and 29 days in jail.

She faces similar sex charges involving another former student, and a second trial is scheduled for February.

Former W. Tenn. teacher convicted of child abuse (10/23/08)
Ripley, Tennessee Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Students (06/05/08)

Tracy Hinson
10-22-08

ThA former teacher has been allowed to withdraw her plea to a charge of aggravated statutory rape involving a student.

Tracy Hinson, 38, of Newbern, pleaded nolo contendre, or no contest, to the charge on Aug. 26. She was placed on judicial diversion for two years. If she had successfully completed her diversionary period, she could have asked the court to expunge her record.

Hinson was accused of having a sexual relationship with a male student between he ages of 13 and 18 during January. Hinson was at least 10 years older than the boy, an age difference that elevates the charge to "aggravated" statutory rape.

Hinson ended her 15-year career as a Lake County High School science teacher and cheerleading coach when she resigned in May. Mark Hayes, a Dyersburg attorney representing Hinson, filed a motion Oct. 3 asking that the plea be set aside. Circuit Court Judge Lee Moore granted the request on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Ex-teacher withdraws plea on aggravated statutory rape charge (10/22/08)
Former Teacher Files Motion to Withdraw No Contest Plea (10/15/08)
Former teacher pleads no contest; two year diversion granted (05/14/08)
Charge dismissed against teacher accused in Lake Co. sex case (05/14/08)
Teacher charged in student sex case (05/09/08)
Lake County teacher off the job after alleged sex with student (05/09/08)
Teacher Accused Of Sex With Student (05/09/08)

Jerry Angus
08-27-08

The sentencing for a Spring Hill teacher found guilty of performing sex acts on a former student has been delayed until later this month.

Jerry Angus, 53, a former teacher and softball coach at Spring Hill High School, is scheduled to appear in Davidson County Criminal Court Oct. 24 on seven felony counts including official misconduct and attempted statutory rape by an authority figure, being the most serious.

The charges stem from an April 2007 incident where Spring Hill students were attending a banquet for teens interested in becoming health care professionals. The state initially had pursued 17 charges in Davidson County, but eight were dismissed. Angus was found not-guilty by a Maury County jury on separate charges filed locally. Other local charges were dismissed when a student he allegedly fondled failed to appear in court.

Angus sentencing hearing delayed (10/07/08)
Former SH teacher found guilty in student sex case (08/26/08)
Teacher Guilty Of Sex With Student (08/26/08)
Inmate testifies against teacher (08/24/08)

Willie Idlette Jr.
10-07-08

A court filing by former Wake Forest wide receiver Willie Idlette Jr. denies sex assault claims by a student at a Chattanooga private school where he worked.

The 24-year-old Idlette is charged with seven counts of statutory rape by an authority figure while he was working as a teacher and assistant football coach at Baylor School in 2007.

With the criminal case pending, Idlette denies all claims in the female student’s lawsuit that seeks damages from him and from Baylor School, which is his alma mater. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports the lawsuit contends that Idlette sexually assaulted and battered the 17-year-old student.

Former private school coach answers sex lawsuit (10/07/08)
Idlette Indicted for Statutory Rape (2/14/08)
Idlette indicted by grand jury (2/14/08)
Former Baylor Teacher Arrested for Statutory Rape (2/14/08)

Charles Muskiet
09-15-08

A teacher at Baylor School has been arrested in Dalton, Ga., on charges of criminal attempt at child molestation and computer pornography child exploitation. Charles Michael Muskiet, 38, of 171 Baylor School Road, was being held on no bond.

Baylor School officials said Muskiet was fired after the arrest. Muskiet was arrested after he went to Dalton for what he thought would be sex with an underage person.The arrest was made by agents involved in the Innocent Images task force that targets Internet sexual child exploitation and child pornography.

Baylor Teacher Caught In Child Sex Sting In Whitfield County (09/09/08)

Maggie Laughlin
08-28-08

A former substitute teacher has pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a student. Julie Petty pleaded guilty Monday to sexual battery by an authority figure. In exchange for that plea, the state dismissed a statutory rape charge against her. A 14-year-old girl at William James Middle School in White Bluff said Petty touched her inappropriately last year.

Petty also coached softball at the school. She could face three to six years in prison when she is sentenced next month.

Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sex Charge (08/27/08)
Female teacher arrested on rape charge

Michael Eugene Noel
08-19-08

A former Clinch School teacher and coach has pleaded guilty to federal child porn charges and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when sentenced later this year.

Michael Eugene Noel, of Kingsport, appeared in U.S. District Court in Greeneville on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and obstructing justice. The child porn charges carry a maximum sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The obstruction charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

A federal grand jury indicted Noel in February on a three-count indictment. The remaining charge — possession of child pornography — will be dismissed at sentencing as per the plea agreement.

Ex-Hawkins Co. Coach Gets 26 Years In Child Pornography Case (08/19/08)
Hawkins County teacher sentenced on child pornography charges (08/18/08)
Former Hawkins County teacher/coach pleads guilty to child porn charges (04/16/08)
Ex-Clinch School teacher, coach faces federal child porn charges after Kingsport, FBI investigation (2/15/08)
Hawkins school board tells Clinch School teacher he has 30 days to appeal decision (7/13/07)
Hawkins County sheriff investigating Clinch coach
Clinch basketball coach faces sex charges
Teacher/ Coach Charged With Sex Crime

Timothy Byars
08-06-08

Former Dyersburg High School volunteer track coach Timothy Byars was taken into custody in a Knoxville courtroom on Monday after pleading guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl before a track meet in November 2006. Timothy Byars Byars, 45, 838 Lattawoods, received a nine-year sentence. He will have to serve prison time totaling one day short of two years, said Knox County Assistant District Attorney Leslie Nassios.

The penalty combines the Knoxville rape charge with a second sexual battery charge from Nashville that occurred earlier that night against the rape victim's sister, who was a teenager at the time. Byars received a one-year sentence for the rape charge, which is a Class D Felony.

Guilty plea entered on second sex charge (07/27/08)
GUILTY: Byars sentenced to two years in prison (07/14/08)

Heather Thorsby
07-31-08

A former art teacher who admitted having a sexual relationship with a female student has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Heather L. Thorsby, 35, was a teacher at Independence High School in Williamson County. She was arrested May 15, 2007, after the girl’s parents discovered nude photos of Thorsby on their daughter’s cell phone and reported it to school officials.

The victim, who is now 19, told police that she and Thorsby had sexual conduct three times in a darkroom at the school and “several times” at Thorsby’s home.

The Tennessean does not identify victims of rape. Thorsby pleaded guilty to four counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and two counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and was sentenced to prison on Monday. She is scheduled to begin her sentence on Aug. 20 and will remain free on $10,000 bond.

Thorsby owes $12,574 in court costs.

Thorsby and the student formed a friendship as the girl was looking at colleges, according to a written statement the girl gave to police.

Thorsby and the girl went to Memphis in November, 2006 and stayed in a two-bedroom hotel room, where their sexual relationship began.

Teacher sentenced to three years in prison for sexual relationship with student (07/31/08)
Plea bargain in sex case sends Tennessee art teacher to jail (07/31/08)
Plea bargain sends teacher to jail for 3 years (07/31/08)
Teacher indicted on student sex charges (11/13/07)
Franklin Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Student
Teacher in sex case has bond hearing today
Arrested teacher released from jail after posting bail

Natham Powell
06-17-08

A former Whitwell High School teacher and coach has been arrested and charged with 18 total counts.

Nathan Powell, 28 of Whitwell, was charged with nine counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and nine counts of aggravated statutory rape, according to information from the Marion County Sheriff‘s Department.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Children’s services started investigating allegations about Powell in April.

Teacher Charged

Pamela Turner
06-11-08

A former elementary school teacher and registered sex offender who pleaded no contest to having intercourse and oral sex with a 13-year-old student now has a new MySpace page in her name. The profile recently featured photos of nude women and the ex-physical education instructor doing a striptease on video.

The page says "Pamela" is a former teacher who is looking to make a new name for herself in the . When WND contacted a person claiming to be Pamela Rogers Turner through the profile, she spoke about pursuing her new career and pictures she had taken in provocative poses. "Well I have some sexy teacher photos of me that were done recently," the person said. "They are of me in lingerie by a desk with blackboard in back etc. I'm just real confused on where to go with all this."

Photos gets teacher 2 more years

Bryan Dale
06-10-08

Bryan Dale Farmer, 32, a former teacher at Northeast High School was sentenced to two years on state probation and 120 days in the Montgomery County Jail for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

Farmer entered a no contest guilty plea in November 2007 and was convicted of three counts of statutory rape.

Judge John H. Gasaway III, handed down the written judgment this afternoon, following the lunch break.Farmer was sentenced to three years of probation and 60 days in jail at a hearing last year after being convicted of one count of sexual battery by an authority figure for fondling a student at Northeast High School.

Former Teacher Charged Sexual Battery Remains Free (07/10/08)
Former teacher sentenced to two years on probation for statutory rape, will serve 120 days in jail (06/10/08)
Farmer sentencing hearing pushed to June (2/29/08)
Farmer found guilty of statutory rape (11/26/07)
Former Teacher Pleads No Contest To Statutory Rape (11/26/07)
Convicted Sex Offender Out On Bond (8/09/07)
Farmer denied motion for new trial (7/30/07)
Former Teacher, Sex Offender Not Behind Bars (7/21/07)
Farmer’s request denied (7/12/07)
Farmer to serve 60 days (7/07/07)
Former Montgomery Co. Teacher Bryan Farmer Sentenced
Ex-teacher guilty of sex with minor

Patty Jo Singleton
06-03-08

A Cloudland High School teacher's aide has surrendered to police after being accused of soliciting sex from a student. Carter County, Tennessee authorities say 36-year-old Patty Jo Singleton turned herself in yesterday. Sheriff Chris Mathes says there were some conversations and perhaps some text messages between the aide and the student, but said there was no indication of sexual contact.

Authorities wouldn't say whether the student is a boy or a girl. The inappropriate contact is said to have taken place in December. The county school system has suspended Singleton without pay. Cloudland High School is in Roan Mountain, Tennessee.

Ex-teacher’s aide pleads guilty, gets diversion on charge of solicitation (06/03/08)

Cedrick Lamont Holmes
05-17-08

Cedrick Lamont Holmes was charged Thursday with statutory rape and sexual battery by an authority figure.

Police say Kyle admitted to having sexual relations with a 17-year old Loudon County girl. A warrant alleges Holmes also kissed and touched a female student younger than 16 at Sweetwater High School multiple times. Another warrant alleges similar actions with another female student.

Holmes worked for Sweetwater High School for about one year, until this month, and oversaw students involved in the school's suspension program.

This is going to look bad on his review.

Former employee at school charged with sex abuse of students (05/17/08)
Former school worker charged with rape, battery of students (05/16/08)
Sweetwater High employee charged with rape of teen (05/16/08)