(04/16/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Timothy Andrew Kellis, 38, a former teacher at Highland High School and currently band director at A.G. West Black Hills High School in Tumwater, Washington has been arrested by Idaho State Police on child sex abuse charges.

It is alleged that during the summer of 2007, as a “continuous course of conduct” that Kellis fondled and engaged in lewd and lascivious contact with two minors under the age of 16 while Kellis was a counselor at Camp Grizzly in Latah County, Idaho.

Kellis has been charged with one count of sexual abuse of a child, and two counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 years of age.

Following his arrest, Kellis was transported to the Latah County Jail where he was subsequently released on $25,000 bond.

Kellis has entered a not guilty plea at an initial court appearance.

04/17/08 - Additional Information

The 15-year-old alleged victim in a phone call with Kellis, a call which was recorded by police, told Kellis that he had discussed the alleged molestation with someone else and that person told him to tell his parents of the sexual abuse.

It is alleged that Kellis then offered to meet the teen in Moscow, Idaho. When Kellis arrived for the meeting he was arrested by Idaho State Police.

04/30/08 - Additional Charges

Timothy Kellis has been charged with an additional five counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 years of age. He turned himself in on Monday in response to a warrant for his arrest on the new charges.

Following his latest arrest Kellis was being held in the Latah County Jail on $50,000 bond.

The latest charges are the result of two additional alleged victims coming forward.

A preliminary hearing on the new charges is set for May 8th. A hearing on the previous charge is set for May 15th.

05/12/08 - Arraignment

KXLY is reporting that new superseding counts of sexual abuse and lewd conduct have been filed against Timothy Kellis and that he has been arraigned on these new charges brought by a grand jury.

Kellis reportedly pleaded not guilty to the 12 charges.

Bond for Kellis was set at $100,000 and his trial is set for September 15th.

06/20/08 - Timothy Kellis Jailed

KOZE-am Lewiston, Idaho is reporting that Timothy Kellis has been jailed for violating his bond conditions by allegedly contacting a boy younger than 18.

Details at link below.

Webmaster’s note: Thanks to an anonymous contributor who left a comment containing the KOZE-am report. Unfortunately due to copyright issues we could not post the comment as it contained a copyrighted report. However we are able to provide the above info and a link to the KOZE report. Thanks again, whoever you are.

09/15/08 - Case Update

Jury selection for the trial of Timothy Kellis in Latah County, Idaho was set for today with the court summoning 150 potential jurors, triple the number summoned for the average trial.

The trial of Timothy Kellis on nine counts of lewd conduct, one count of attempted lewd conduct, and two counts of sexual abuse of a child is expected to last about a week.

Once Kellis’ trial in Latah County, Idaho is concluded Asotin County, Washington prosecutors are expected to file charges of second-degree rape of a child against him there.

Kellis faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

09/19/08 - Guilty Verdict

A Latah County jury has found Timothy Kellis guilty of all charges.

Kellis faces the possibility of life in prison when sentenced on November 12th.

In addition to the Latah County charges, Kellis also faces a charge of second-degree rape of a child in Asotin County. That case has been on-hold awaiting the outcome of the Latah County case.

References:

Kellis guilty of molesting Boy Scouts (09/19/08)

Jury finds Kellis guilty on all counts (09/19/08)

Scout camp counselor guilty of molestation (09/19/08)

Alleged sex charges against ex-Tumwater teacher led to changes at Scout camp (09/19/08)

Teens testify in N. Idaho Boy Scout abuse case (09/17/08)

ID court summons jury in Boy Scout abuse trial (09/14/08)

Accused child molester back in Latah County Jail (KOZE-am Report)

Tim Kellis pleads innocent (05/12/08)

Tumwater man arraigned on sex abuse charges (05/12/08)

Washington state band leader back in jail in abuse case (04/30/08)

Camp counselor accused of fondling minors turns himself in (04/29/08)

Kellis turns himself in, faces additional charges (04/29/08)

More charges filed against Kellis

Details emerge in sex charges against band director (04/17/08)

Tumwater band teacher pleads not guilty to sex charges (04/16/08)

Former Highland H.S. teacher facing child sex abuse charges (04/15/08)

Man arrested on Camp Grizzly sex charge (04/15/08)

(09/05/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Meagan Belnap, 20, a temporary worker at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell, Idaho has been indicted by a grand jury on four counts of sexual abuse of a child.

Belnap reportedly worked as a “tracker”, a person that takes care of special needs students by following them around to class, reading to them and otherwise assisting them around school.

It is alleged that during the last school year that Belnap inappropriately touched one child and engaged in inappropriate conduct with three others.

Belnap came to the attention of authorities when a school resource officer reportedly “heard rumors” from students regarding Belnap. An investigation was begun and the results turned over to prosecutors who in turn took the case to the grand jury.

Following her arrest and booking, Belnap was being held in the Canyon County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.

References:

Middle school worker accused of inappropriately touchings kids (09/05/08)

Substitute teacher indicted for sexual abuse of a child (09/05/08)

(2/12/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Ronald Keith Neil, 41, a former economics teacher and tennis coach at Borah High School in Boise, Idaho has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing child pornography.

Neal came to the attention of authorities when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents discovered that Neil’s credit card had been used to pay for access to child pornography web sites.

Forensic examination of computers seized from Neil’s home, including a school provided laptop, allegedly revealed at least six videos and 50 still images that depicted young boys, some of them prepubescent, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors say some of Neil’s illegal computer activity dated by to 2002.

Neil who had taught at the school for more than ten years was placed on administrative leave in September. He resigned in December.

Sentencing is set for May 14th and Neil faces up to ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

05/14/08 - Sentencing

Ronald Neil has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison.

The judge recommended a sex offender treatment program in Massachusetts for Neil whose attorneys revealed in court that Neil had been abused as a child.

References:

Former Borah High teacher headed to prison (05/14/08)

Former Borah High teacher admits to possessing child porn (2/12/08)

Teacher had child porn on school laptop (2/12/08)

(11/21/07 - Initial BBT Report)

Michael Kee Dann, 31, assistant band director at Highland High School, in Pocatello, Idaho has been arrested on allegations of lewd conduct with a minor.

Dann is accused of molesting a 14 year old on several occasions at the school.

Few details of the case are available but police believe there may be other victims.

Following his arrest Dann was being held in the Bannock County Jail on $40,000 bond.

3/17/08 - Sentencing

Michael Dann, who pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 16 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Dann was sentenced to a fixed 5 year prison term and a ten year indeterminate term.

References:

Dann Sentenced to 15 Years (3/17/08)

Band Director Charged with Lewd Conduct (11/21/07)

Teacher Charged with Lewd Conduct (11/21/07)

(7/10/07 - Initial BBT Report)

Lauren K. Palmer, a former softball coach and substitute teacher at Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho has pleaded guilty to a charge of felony injury to a child.

In April of this year a sheriff’s deputy caught Palmer and a 16-year-old girl outside a car and attempting to get back into it about 1 a.m. in the morning in a park that was closed at the time.

Palmer was originally charged with sexual battery of a minor, however she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of felony injury to a child, will not have to register as a sex offender and may not have the felony charge on her record for long as prosecutors will not oppose Palmer’s request for a withheld judgment and are not seeking any prison time for her.

Sentencing is set for August 27.

8/27/07 - Sentencing

Palmer was sentenced to two years probation, a 30-day jail sentenced deferred to Feb. 4th, ordered to pay restitution for counseling for the girl and Palmer will be required to undergo ‘thinking errors’ and one-on-one counseling.

2/26/08 - Arrested For Probation Violations

Ada County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Lauren Palmer after Idaho Probation and Parole issued a warrant for violation of parole terms and conditions.

It is alleged that Palmer violated probation conditions regarding curfew and changing addresses without permission.

References:

Former softball coach arrested again for probation violations (2/26/08)

Former coach gets probation for inappropriate contact with student (8/27/07)

Former coach pleads guilty to lesser charge

Softball coach pleads guilty to lesser charge

View All Bad Bad Teacher Coverage of the Case of Lauren K. Palmer