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June 22, 2005
Band teacher admits sex with students
NORRISTOWN -- A former band instructor at Pottsgrove High School has admitted having contact "of a sexual nature" with two female students at the school.
Christian Edward Oakes, 31, of the 400 block of Keanon Drive in Boothwyn, Delaware County, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Monday to two misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors in connection with incidents that occurred between August 2003 and April 2004.
"This was corruption of minors of a sexual nature," said Assistant District Attorney Barbara Ashcroft. "I think the defendant’s behavior is a flagrant disregard for his role as a mentor for these students. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Parents trust their children’s teachers. He violated that trust."
Judge Bernard A. Moore, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, sentenced Oakes to five years’ probation and ordered him to have no contact with the two girls. "Conduct between adults and minors of a sexual nature is not going to be tolerated in Montgomery County," Moore told Oakes.
The judge warned Oakes that if he violates his probation in the future he faces a "substantial" prison sentence.
Officers from the probation department’s sex offender supervision unit will monitor Oakes for the next five years. Under the intensive supervisory program, officials can order defendants to seek counseling and can make unannounced home visits.
Other than admit guilt to the charges, Oakes said nothing in court and showed no emotion during the hearing. The students were not in court.
Ashcroft said the girls and their families were satisfied with the outcome of the case.
"The families of the girls are glad the girls won’t suffer further emotional trauma of testifying at a trial," said Ashcroft.
Charges of sexual abuse of children and unlawful contact with minors were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, which was hashed out between Ashcroft and defense lawyer Marc Neff.
"This was the appropriate resolution, under the circumstances," said Neff, declining to comment further about the case.
The investigation of Oakes began April 27, 2004, when a 17-year-old girl reported to Lower Pottsgrove police that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with Oakes, according to court documents. The girl told authorities that Oakes was aware of her age.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Lower Pottsgrove police, the girl and Oakes had ongoing conversations via the Internet and that one April 18 Internet conversation turned sexual in nature.
Oakes, police said, made offers to engage in sexual activity with the girl and she agreed. The girl also sent Oakes 10 nude photographs of herself by way of the computer, according to court documents.
Oakes and the girl met at the high school four times between April 20 and April 26 for sexual encounters in a closet, according to the criminal complaint. The sexual encounters occurred during school hours and after school, police said.
During the course of the investigation, a second girl contacted police and claimed that she, too, had sexual contact with Oakes between August 2003 and March 2004. The girl, now 19, said she was 17 when some of the incidents occurred.
School district officials cooperated with authorities during the investigation.
"(Oakes) has not taught and has not been on the premises since last spring," Pottsgrove Superintendent Sharon Nalbone Richardson said on Monday.
When Oakes was arrested, he was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case. "Now that the criminal case is disposed of, the school district will take appropriate action," Richardson said.
Oakes began working for the district in August 2001 as the high school band director and the instrumental teacher. He also taught general music at Ringing Rocks Elementary School.
Officials said Oakes underwent the required state background checks for a criminal record and child abuse history before being hired.
Posted by Nealus at June 22, 2005 10:32 PM
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