Allenna Ward
Posted by: Webmaster in FE-MV, Hall of Shame, High Profile Cases, Language Arts, Middle Schools, South Carolina(5/01/07 - Initial BBT Report)
Allenna Williams Ward, 24, the daughter of a minister and a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, South Carolina was indicted on five counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and six counts of lewd acts on a minor.
Ward is accused of the sexual abuse of five boys all 14 or 15-years-old some of whom were students at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, where Ward taught until she was fired on February, 28.
Ward is reportedly a 2001 graduate of Clinton High School and a 2005 graduate of Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education who had taught at the Bell Street Middle School for one year.
She came to the attention of police after a note containing inappropriate messages was given to school officials after being passed during class to one of the boys, then thrown in the trash and later retrieved.
Ward is alleged to have engaged in sexual activities with the boys since December 2006 and allegedly engaged in these sex acts at the Bell Street Middle School, in a parked car, at the Clinton Motel, behind the Clock Restaurant and in the Laurens City Park.
Following her arrest Ward was released on $110,000 bond, placed on house arrest and prohibited from contacting any of the victims or using a cellphone.
Racial overtones are further inflaming this already high profile case owing to the fact that all of Ward’s alleged victims are African-American boys. Some members of the Black community are voicing the view that a double standard is being applied in the Ward case owing to the fact that she is white. Some members of the white community are up in arms primarily owing to the bi-racial implications of the case.
9/06/07 - Guilty Plea
Allenna Williams Ward has pleaded guilty to to having sex with at least five students.
Ward pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of lewd acts on a minor. Ward admitted that she had sex with at least five boys, three 14-year-olds, and two 15-year-olds in cars, parks, a hotel and at the school.
Reportedly Ward apologized to the victims’ families the community, and the school.
It was also reported that, prosecutors read from Ward’s personal journal, which described her personal struggle with what she was doing. Ward wrote that she knew what she was doing wrong, but couldn’t stop.
No formal sentencing date was set today, however Ward faces the possibility of up to 105 years in prison. The judge ordered a pre-sentencing report which will take several weeks to complete. While awaiting sentencing Ward will remain out of jail and under house arrest.
2/19/08 - Sentencing
Allenna Williams Ward was today sentenced to six years in prison.
Ward was actually sentenced to 15 years in prison for each lewd act count, with the sentences to run concurrently and with each suspended to 6 years in prison, the same sentence handed down on the other counts.
During a brief statement at her sentencing Ward said, “I deeply regret betraying the families’ trust.”
Both Ward and her father, a minister, asked the community for forgiveness.
Following her sentencing Ward was handcuffed and led from the courtroom.
References:
Ex-Teacher Gets Six Years in Prison for Sex with Students (2/19/08)
Teacher Sentenced For Sex Assaults On Students (2/19/08)
Former Teacher Gets 6 Years For Sex With Students (2/19/08)
Ex-Teacher Pleads Guilty to Having Sex With Students (9/06/07)
Teacher Admits She Had Sex With 5 Students (9/06/07)
Allenna Ward indicted in sex scandal
Background:
Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Five Boys
Teacher accused of sexually abusing students
Middle school teacher fired after sexual encounters with students
Teacher Sex Cases Spark Cries of Racism
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April 29th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
She is cute. I wish she would have been my teacher. Kids today don’t know who lucky they have it.(sighs)
March 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Seems like she got about a yr for each kid. And she probably will be out in 2 1/2 yrs. Wow. I bet that will show all of the other teachers in N.C. You mess with kids and out of a possible 64 yrs in prison. You only get 6 yrs and the possiblity of getting out after only serving 2 1/2 yrs. Way to go Judge. Not.