(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)

(10/26/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

George H. Friery, Jr, 52, a world languages teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in Bridgewater, New Jersey has reportedly been arrested on allegations that he exchanged text and email messages containing sexually explicit images with a 15 year old student.

Friery is reportedly charged with one count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, 2nd degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, 4th degree.

Following his arrest on Friday, Friery was lodged in the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Bail is conditioned upon Friery not having contact with the student.

(10/23/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

Jennifer Diane Bland, 23, a Spanish teacher at Durand High School in Durand, Illinois has reportedly been arrested on allegations of having inappropriate contact with four male students.

Reportedly, Bland initially faced 6 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and following arraignment she was released on $20,000 bond.

It is alleged that Bland had sexual contact with four male students who are between the ages of 14 and 17, with the first alleged incident occurring last spring and the most recent alleged incidents occurring in September and October.

Three hours after posting bond Thursday night, Bland was re-arrested after two additional students come forward, saying they had sexual relations with Bland.

As a result of the latest allegations, Bland is now facing a total of 19 charges, including twelve counts aggravated criminal sexual abuse, six counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of solicitation to meet a minor.

Bond for Bland was increased to $250,000 and she was being held in the Winnebago County jail in lieu of bond.

Bland came to the attention of the Durand Police when a call came in expressing concerns about Bland’s behavior. Durand Police requested assistance from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department and an investigation was begun.

Bland’s next court date is set for November 19th.

Reportedly, Bland has been placed on paid administrative leave by the school system.