(05/16/08 – Initial BBT Report)

Sanford Kaplan, 57, a soccer coach at Northeast High School in Lincoln, Nebraska as well as a a youth soccer coach for the Capitol Soccer Association and an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been arrested in connection with the alleged abuse of teenage boys.

Quoting from the Omaha World-Herald:

Six youths ages 13 to 15 have alleged that over the past seven years they were bound, gagged and blindfolded, then videotaped or photographed trying to escape, in a strange “rope trick” game Kaplan concocted for his sexual gratification.

Investigators say that Kaplan admitted to doing these things to several teenage boys in order to “fulfill a sexual need.”

According to sheriff’s officials, the events were “portrayed as a game,” and the boys were challenged to escape their bindings.

Investigators believe at least three more young men have been victims of similar treatment and are looking for other victims who have not yet come forward.

On Wednesday Kaplan was arrested on suspicion of 14 felony charges, including two of third-degree sexual assault, which alleges inappropriate sexual touching. However he was charged with only 7 felony counts consisting of six counts of child abuse and one count of false imprisonment.

Reportedly Kaplan no longer works as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he has been suspended as a coach of select club teams for the Capital Soccer Association and his contract to coach boys soccer at Lincoln Northeast High School was not being renewed.

03/02/09 – No Contest Plea

Sanford Kaplan has reportedly pleaded no contest and was found guilty on seven counts of child abuse and one count of first-degree false imprisonment.

Sentencing is set for May 15.

Kaplan faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each of the eight counts and will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

05/15/09 – Sentencing

Sanford Kaplan has been sentenced to prison for a term of from 8 to 24 years on seven counts of child abuse and one count of false imprisonment.

In addition to his prison sentence, Kaplan must also register as a sex offender.

References:

Kaplan Gets Prison for Child Abuse (05/15/09)

Ex-Lincoln soccer coach found guilty of child abuse (03/02/09)

Charges stun coach’s circle (05/16/08)

Court Documents Detail Extent of Lincoln Man’s Suspected Abuse (05/15/08)

Soccer coach faces 14 felony charges (05/15/08)

Lincoln soccer coach held in sex case (05/15/08)

11/01/07 – Initial BBT Report)

Kelsey Peterson, 25, a sixth-grade teacher and basketball coach at Lexington Middle School, in Lexington, Nebraska, is the subject of a nationwide search and is wanted for kidnapping, child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Peterson is accused of running off with Fernando Rodriguez, a 13-year-old male student. Peterson at the time of her disappearance was under investigation for having a sexual relationship with the boy.

Peterson was placed on administrative leave last week and the school contacted police to report that administrators had reason to believe that Peterson was having some sort of relationship with Rodriguez.

According to police, correspondence uncovered in an investigation shows the two have had a sexual relationship for some time.

Letters allegedly sent by Rodriguez while living at a home for at-risk boys in Alliance refers to teacher Kelsey Peterson as his “Baby Gurl” and says that their relationship is about more than sex. It is also alleged that correspondence written by Peterson and found on school computers supports the allegations against Peterson.

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(04/01/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)

Ronald J. Thatcher, 73, of Bellevue, Nebraska, reportedly a retired substitute school teacher for private schools in Omaha, Nebraska and the Bellevue Public School system has been charged with three counts of third-degree sexual assault on a child.

It is alleged that Thatcher sexually assaulted a girl who was 7-years-old at the time of the first incident.

The alleged sexual assaults are said to have taken place in the Bellevue area a few years ago and involve an alleged victim who was not one of Thatcher’s students. According to police, the alleged victim has come forward recently.

It is further alleged that Thatcher sexually assaulted the girl over a two and a half-year period with one alleged incident occurring in 2002, and the two others occuring in 2005.

Reportedly Thatcher is currently free on bond.