Eric Achenbach
12-19-08

Eric Achenbach, 59, reportedly a computers and graphic arts at Brattleboro Union High School in Brattleboro, Vermont has been charged with possession of child pornography after two deer hunters stumbled across what is allegedly Achenbach’s collection of child pornography, hidden in the woods.

Reportedly the hunters discovered a purple plastic storage container which upon examination was found to contain child pornography. The hunters reported the discovery to the Vernon Police Department, who in turncontacted the Southeastern Unit for Special Investigators regarding the discovery.

Police suspected that Achembach was connected to the materials since it was found close to his home and some documents in the box contained Achenbach’s name, and were marked with the initials “EA”. Included in the material there was also allegedly found a photograph of Achenbach standing in front of a 1981 Deerfield Elementary School class, where he previously taught.

Police say that when they confronted Achenbach about the chest he admitted it was his and told police that he had hidden it in the woods seven to eight years ago, after he moved from Dover. It is alleged that Achenbach in addition to admitting that the chest was his also admitted to knowing that the chest contained child pornography. It is further alleged that Achembach admitted to police that computer equipment in his home also contained child pornography.

Achenbach has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography and at an initial court appearance pleaded not guilty. He was released on conditions that he have no contact with children and that he only use the Internet in the company of a friend.

Achenbach, who has reportedly taught in the area for 31 years, has been placed on administrative leave by the school system.

Reportedly the investigation is still ongoing but police and prosecutors do not at this time believe that Achembach molested any children or produced any of the child pornography discovered thus far. His computer was confiscated and is being analyzed by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Teacher Caught With Chest Full of Porn (12/19/08)

Yaakov Weiss
09-30-08

An Albany-area rabbi is facing charges he sexually abused a 13-year-old boy.

Yaakov Weiss of Loudonville was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of third-degree sex abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Weiss was the boy's teacher at the Hebrew Academy of Albany.

Police say 28-year-old Weiss had sexual contact with the boy on at least three occasions. Child Protective Services notified Albany police after getting an anonymous call to their abuse hot line.

School officials and Weiss' attorney, Arnold Proskin, could not be reached for comment Tuesday because of the Jewish holiday.

Albany-area rabbi faces sex abuse charges (09/30/08)

Shawn R. Pratt
09-19-08

Shawn R. Pratt, 36, a paraprofessional at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington, Vermont has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.

It is alleged that on September 14 the girl told her mother that Pratt had been “rubbing my thigh and he rubbed my privates.” .

It is further alleged that incident brought forward other memories of sexual contact with Pratt that the girl says took place when she was 2, 3 or 4-years-old.

Pratt did not meet the alleged victim at the school, nor through his employment at the school.

Pratt has been charged with felony counts of aggravated sexual assault and and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.

Pratt has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is initially being held without bail until a hearing to determine whether he can be released on any set of conditions is held.

Media reports indicate that Pratt who has worked for the school system since 2005 has convictions in Vermont for domestic assault in 2002 and 2007, simple assault in 2007 and possession of marijuana in 2003.

On September 5, Pratt pleaded guilty to another charge of domestic assault. As a result of his latest assault conviction, Pratt is scheduled to serve 24 days at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility beginning on October 5th.

School aide faces sex assault charges (09/19/08)
School worker charged with sexual assault on minor (09/19/08)
Bennington man faces child sex assault charges (09/19/08)

Richard Foster
09-19-08

A former Bradford elementary school teacher charged with sexually exploiting some of his students is pleading guilty to two federal charges that could send him to prison for 25 years.

The U.S. Attorney's office says that 52-year-old Richard Foster pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of production of child pornography involving children under 12.

Prosecutors say they will ask for a sentence of 25 to 27 years in prison. Sentencing is set for December.

Foster was arrested a year ago after the mother of a 12-year-old Florida boy who had lived in Bradford found sexually explicit photo text messages Foster sent to the boy.

Prosecutors say investigators found images of Foster engaged in sexual activities with two boys.

Former teacher pleads guilty to sex crimes (09/19/08)
Teacher Faces More Sex Charges (12/20/07)
Questions About Accused Teacher Failed to Trigger Inquiry (10/19/07)
Teacher Jailed (9/28/07)
Accused teacher pleads innocent to federal child porn charge (9/28/07)
Bradford teacher indicted on federal child porn charges (9/27/07)
Accused Teacher Now Faces Federal Child Pornography Charge (9/20/07)
Teacher released from hospital, faces federal charge (9/19/07)
Sense of betrayal emerges in Vt. (9/19/07)
For school, community, a sense of betrayal (9/18/07)
Teacher Accused of Molesting A Young Boy (9/17/07)
Excerpts from suicide notes left by teacher accused in sex case (9/17/07)
Accused teacher wrote suicide notes before slashing wrist (9/17/07)
Bradford teacher accused of sexual assault (9/16/07)
Teacher charged with sex crimes hospitalized after suicide try (9/16/07)
Teacher charged with sex crimes hospitalized after suicide try (9/16/07)

Jeremy E. Mullins
04-18-08

A 19-year-old substitute teacher who sexually assaulted an eighth-grade girl who had a crush on him is going to jail for it.

Jeremy E. Mullins, of South Duxbury, a former student at St. Michael’s College, got a deferred five-year sentence Friday on the more serious charge of sexual assault and a one-year term - with all but 90 days suspended - for committing a prohibited act.

Mullins, who had taught the 14-year-old while substituting at Harwood Union High School, admitted molesting her during a tryst in his car outside the school. The two got involved initially after the girl saw his profile on the MySpace.com social networking site and e-mailed him.

Substitute teacher sentenced to jail (04/18/08)
Substitute teacher gets 90 days in student sex case (04/18/08)
Former Sub’s Sex Charge Triggers Policy Re-examination
Substitute teacher charged with rape

Jeffrey Buehner
03-24-08

A former Vermont teacher of the year pleaded guilty today to a felony sex crime involving a pre-teen boy.

Jeffrey Buehner, 67, of Winooski admitted a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. In exchange, Chittenden County prosecutors agreed to drop five misdemeanor counts of possession of child pornography.

Buehner, who taught for 30 years in the Burlington’s elementary and middle schools — winning top teacher honors in 1975 — before retiring to work as a private tutor, faces a prison sentence of two to 12 years. Buehner admitted repeatedly kissed a boy during tutoring sessions between 2003 and 2005 at the former teacher’s Winooski apartment, beginning when the child was about 10 years old.

Former teacher of the year sentenced in sex crime (05/19/08)
Former teacher of year pleads guilty to lewd conduct with child (3/24/08)
Former Teacher of the Year Pleads Guilty to Sex Charges (3/24/08)
Sex Charges Against Teacher Will Stand (2/12/08)
Former teacher wants charges thrown out (10/17/07)