(02/26/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Richard Young, 68, a debate teacher and coach at Buhler High School in Buhler, Kansas has been arrested and charged with three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and one count of indecent solicitation of a child.

It is alleged that Young had a sexual relationship with a foreign-exchange student in August 2007.

Bond for Young was set at $75,000 and he has an initial court appearance set for tomorrow.

Young who has been suspended with pay since November is the second Buhler High School employee charged with having a sexual relationship with a student this school year. Anthony Coker is the other.

05/01/08 - Charges Upgraded, Preliminary Hearing Set

Prosecutors upgraded the charges to three counts of aggravated indecent liberties, instead of the lesser indecent liberties with a child.

A preliminary hearing is set for June 4th at the request of prosecutors who want to get the testimony of alleged victim on record in case the victim returns to Korea before trial.

06/05/08 - Preliminary Hearing

A preliminary hearing was held for Richard Young and the prosecution presented evidence Richard Young has a history of making sexual advances toward exchange students.

A law enforcement computer expert testified he found 44 websites for gay Asian teenage pornography on Young’s computer that predates August 1st, 2007, the day the accuser arrived in the United States.

Following the preliminary hearing Young was bound over for trial.

His arraignment is set for July 7th.

07/18/08 - Court Hearing

Richard Young appeared for a hearing today and entered a plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial.

A trial date has not been set.

10/17/08 - Guilty Verdict

A Reno County jury has found Richard Young guilty on two counts of taking indecent liberties, one count of aggravated indecent liberties and one count of solicitation of a child.

The jury announced that they believe the judge should be allowed to sentence Young to more prison time than he normally would be allowed to do.

References:

Former Teacher Guilty In Sex Crime Trial (10/17/08)

Jury finds Kan. teacher guilty of abusing student (10/17/08)

Buhler Teacher Pleads Not Guilty To Sex Crimes (07/18/08)

Former Teacher to Stand Trial On Child Sex Crimes (06/05/08)

Hearing is set for teacher in sex case (05/01/08)

Buhler Teacher Arrested On Sex Crimes (2/26/08)

Teacher arrested for sexual misconduct with student (2/26/08)

Buhler teacher arrested on charges of sex with student (2/26/08)