(11/14/07 – Initial BBT Report)

Richard Dennis Whitehead, a former English teacher at Bainbridge High School, in Bainbridge, Georgia has been convicted in a two-day bench trial and sentenced on nine counts of sexual assault of a person in custody.

Superior Court Judge Wallace Cato found Whitehead guilty of having sex with a then-17-year-old female student on nine occasions between March 23 and April 20, 2007.

Judge Cato then imposed the maximum 30 year sentence on Whitehead and ordered that he serve at least 20 years of that sentence as prison time.

Additionally Whitehead will have to register as a sex offender, cannot teach and must restrict his involvement with children whenever he is released on parole.

Although Whitehead’s sexual contact with the student was consensual Georgia law prohibits anyone with supervisory control over another person from engaging in sexual contact with that person, regardless of their age.

Whitehead came to the attention of authorities when friends of the girl saw inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature on the girl’s cellphone and told the girl’s mother. The mother took the victim to the sheriff’s office and deputies used the victim’s cellphone to set up a meeting with Whitehead. When Whitehead arrived at the church where the victim stated the alleged sexual contact took place he was arrested.

10/31/09 – Conviction Overturned

The Georgia Court of Appeals has reversed the conviction of Richard Dennis Whitehead.

The Court of Appeals held that Whitehead’s sexual contact with the student was not a crime in light of the recent George Supreme Court ruling regarding consensual sex between teachers and students who are of the age of consent.

References:

Whitehead conviction reversed (10/23/09)

Former teacher headed to prison for sex with student (11/14/07)

Background:

Teacher charged with sexual assault (4/24/07)

Teacher arrested for sex with student (4/24/07)

(3/20/08 – Initial BBT Report)

Paul J. Schirmer, a 5th grade teacher at Middle Township Elementary School No. 2 in Middle Township, New Jersey has been arrested and charged with charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

It is alleged that on two separate occasions within the past six months that Schirmer inappropriately touched two students, with one alleged incident taking place at school.

Schirmer, who was suspended with pay, was being held on $50,000 bond following his arrest yesterday.

10/29/09 – Charges Dismissed

Middle Township Municipal Court Judge George Neidig in July dismissed the sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child case against Paul J. Schirmer, a fifth grade teacher at Middle Township Elementary School No. 2.

References:

Judge Dismisses Teacher’s Case (08/19/09)

Elementary Teacher Charged With Sexually Assaulting Students (3/20/08)

Middle Township Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault (3/20/08)

5th grade teacher in Middle Twp. faces inappropriate touching charges (3/20/08)

(02/18/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

Wendi Smith Boutiette, 36, track coach at Coquille High School, in Coquille, Oregon was arrested on Saturday on allegations of sexually abusing at least one of her male student-athletes.

On Tuesday morning, Boutiette was arraigned on charges of felony sexual abuse, two counts of contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor and sexual misconduct.

Boutiette came to the attention of authorities when a resident reported hearing that one of the male students on the track team had sexual relations with Boutiette.

As a result of the tip an investigation was undertaken during which police interviewed two other male students who said they also had sexual contact with Boutiette.

All of the alleged incidents are said to have happened between 2006 and the present and all are alleged to have occurred off-campus at a residence.

A school spokesperson said Tuesday that Boutiette has worked as the head track coach or assistant coach off and on since 2002.

Boutiette, who is reportedly married with two children, was reportedly released from jail on Sunday.

02/18/09 – Case Update

Wendi Boutiette made an initial appearance in court this morning at which time a preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 17th.

The judge agreed to release Boutiette from custody provided she avoids the alleged victim and Coquille School District property.

After the hearing Boutiette’s attorney David Terry criticized the Coquille Police Department, suggesting it rushed its investigation into allegations that Wendi Boutiette had sex with a minor.

For the full details, see this theworldlink.com report

(03/05/09 – Boutiette Resigns

Wendi Boutiette has submitted her resignation as track coach at Coquille High School.

Her next court date is set for March 17th.

03/17/09 – Arraignment

Wendi Boutiette was arraigned today.

At arraignment, Coos County Circuit Court Judge Paula Bechtold eased restrictions placed upon Boutiette while free on bond. She is now allowed to visit family members in Washington and attend her sons’ parent-teacher conferences. Previously she was prohibited from leaving the state or entering upon Coquille School District property.

Her attorney has said, “The alleged victim that’s been brought forward in this case is not being truthful.”

Boutiette’s attorney also said, “I’m anticipating there’s a good chance it will be dismissed before trial but if it doesn’t, then yeah, we will go to trial.”

Her next court appearance is set for April 30th.

Wendi Boutiette’s attorney David Terry is also seeking the return of more than 200 “bra and panty” photos seized as evidence by Coquille police after her arrest last month.

Terry subpoenaed Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier and Coquille Police Chief Mark Dannels to appear in court Tuesday to return the “lingerie” photos, charging that they aren’t relevant to the case against his client.

05/01/09 – Plea Change Hearing Continued

A plea change hearing scheduled for yesterday in the case of Wendi Boutiette has been continued to May 14th.

The delay is reportedly to permit prosecutors time to review results of an investigation conducted by the defense.

05/21/09 – Trial Date Set

Wendi Boutiette has been scheduled to go to trail on October 26th.

At yesterday’s hearing, Boutiette’s attorney attempted to convince the judge to dismiss the charges against his client. David Terry submitted the results of a polygraph examination which he said confirmed his client’s innocence. The judge refused to dismiss and set a trial date.

Terry is quoted as saying in regard to the offer of a plea deal by prosecutors, “Why would she plead guilty to a sex crime and be a registered sex offender when she did nothing?”

10/22/09 – DA Moves To Dismiss Charges

The Douglas County District Attorney’s office has filed a motion to dismiss sex-abuse charges against Wendi Boutiette.

According to Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan the alleged victim is unwilling to testify in the trial set to start on October 26th.

Of the dismissal, Boutiette reportedly said she was “happy, elated, relieved, angry and frustrated because my life has been dragged through hell for nine months”.