(06/28/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Gregory Strittmatter, 49, a former softball coach at Indiana Area Senior High School in Indiana, Pennsylvania has been arrested on allegations of sending sexually suggestive messages via a cell phone to a 15-year-old student and ex-player.

It is alleged that Strittmatter began text-messaging the the girl in May and that by month’s end the messages became more personal and eventually turned sexual.

Allegedly Strittmatter sent text messages to the girl including:

“I’m lying here in bed can’t stop thinking of you. I need you.”

“I miss you. I need you. I wish you were here.”

The girl’s father became aware of the messages while at at a softball game after his daughter handed her cell phone to him. The father then gave the phone to his son who showed one of the messages to the girl’s father.

According to the criminal complaint, the girl’s father spoke to Strittmatter’s wife about the message, and she begged him not to ruin her family. Reportedly the girl’s father also spoke to Strittmatter who allegedly told him that he has a problem and needs help.

Strittmatter is charged with having unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and harassment and stalking and following arraignment was released on $5,000 bond.

Strittmatter resigned his position with the school via an e-mail on June 13th.

His next court date is set for August 12th.

References:

Ex-softball coach at Indiana high school faces charges (06/28/08)

Coach charged over explicit messages to girl (06/28/08)

(06/25/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Jeremy Ross Calvert, 21, a former volunteer band teacher’s aid at Higley High School in Higley, Arizona has been sentenced to two years in prison, lifetime probation and is required to register as a sex offender.

Last month Calvert entered into a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. As part of the plea deal prosecutors dropped seven additional counts of the same charge.

Calvert was originally indicted by a grand jury on nine counts of sexual conduct with a minor on allegations that he had sex with a female student in a music practice room in November 2006.

Calvert is being given credit for the estimated 530 days he’s already spent behind bars since his arrest meaning his two year prison sentence is nearly over.

Prosecutors are pursuing restitution for the girl and her family.

Links:

Ex-Higley aide gets maximum in sex case (06/27/08)

Klint Wescom, 30, a track coach at Grayslake Central High School, in Grayslake, Illinois has been charged with sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl, who was a member of the school track team.

According to Assistant State’s Attorney Patricia Fix the girl, a junior, and several members of the track team began visiting Wescom’s home to play board games in April and by later than month the girl was visiting Wescom’s home by herself and the sexual contact took place.

Wescom was released from Lake County Jail after posting $10,000 of $100,000 bail.

Wescom is the second Grayslake Central employee in two years to be charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a student. In October, former drama teacher Jason Glick, 38, of Kenosha, was put on two years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student during the 2005-06 school year.

06/27/08 - Sentencing

Klint Wescom who earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and faced a maximum of five years in prison has been sentenced.

As part of the plea deal a charge of criminal sexual assault was dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.

Wescom was sentenced to 18 months of periodic imprisonment plus probation and 240 hours of community service. He is expected to begin serving his sentence later this month.

BBT Webmaster’s note: Periodic imprisonment is a sentencing option under which the inmate is permitted to work and obtain counseling outside the jail or prison during “business hours”. Inmates sentenced under periodic imprisonment are typically required to pay a nominal daily “room and board” fee and to provide for their own health care.

References:

Former coach sentenced in sex crime (06/26/08)

Coach charged with sex assault

Track Coach Accused Of Molesting 16-Year-Old Girl

Coach named in sex case