Christopher Burton
Posted by: Webmaster in Elementary Schools, Hall of Shame, ME-MV, Utah(5/31/07 - Initial BBT Report)
Christopher Burton, 25, a former teacher at East Elementary School in Tooele, Utah appeared for a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Tooele County District Court on eight counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
The alleged crimes are said to have occurred between August, 2006 and March of this year. Burton came to attention of authorities on March 31st, when one student told his parents of another boy being touched improperly.
Following his arrest Burton was held on $200,000 bond.
During Wednesday’s hearing the three boys who testified all said Burton made them sit on his lap and he put both his hands in their front pants pockets and fondled them on several occasions.
One boy said these incidents occurred when the rest of the students were talking or distracted with other activities, such as watching a movie.
“He would make me. He would tell me to sit on his lap,” one boy said. “I wouldn’t want to.”
This boy said Burton began touching him after the first day the boy started school and kept doing it about once a week.
When asked if he was telling the truth, the boy replied, “I swear.”
Burton had taught sixth grade at the school and started teaching third grade this year. He was immediately suspended by the school when the allegations surfaced and was fired on April 20th.
Burton’s preliminary hearing was continued to June 22, as prosecutors and the defense have up to sixteen more witnesses to call.
Just last month, 42-year-old Leslie Baird, a former Tooele High School resource administrator, was sentenced to a year in jail after being convicted of having a sexual affair with two students.
6/23/07 - Christopher Burton Going To Trial
Christopher Burton was bound over for trial on eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child for fondling boys in his classroom.
Seven boys testified that Burton had called them over to his desk while other students were busy, placed his hands in their pockets and fondled them in a sexual manner. Some of the boys said it happened them only a few times while others testified it happened to them frequently.
Additionally the parent of one child testified to the difficulties her son experienced as a result of Burton’s actions.
Burton remains held in the Tooele County jail on $200,000 bond and his arraignment is set for July 10th.
8/22/07 - Christopher Burton Pleads Guilty
Christopher Burton has pleaded guilty to eight charges alleging he molested boys in his classroom.
Burton originally charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
As part of a plea deal with prosecutors he entered guilty pleas to eight counts of second-degree felony sexual abuse of a child. Also as part of the plea deal prosecutors have agreed to recommend to the judge that Burton serve five sentences consecutively and three concurrently, meaning Burton will serve between 5 and 30 years in prison.
Formal sentencing is set for November 6th.
11/02/07 - Christopher Burton Formerly Sentenced
Christopher Burton has been formerly sentenced.
Third District Judge Mark Kouris in sentencing Burton to eight to 30 years in prison called Burton’s actions “absolutely despicable” and indicated that he would ask the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to make Burton serve every day of his 30-year sentence.
Burton originally charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child but in a plead deal with prosecutors he entered guilty pleas to eight counts of second-degree felony sexual abuse of a child.
Victims parents spoke of Burton’s betrayal of their sons and said that their children have been incessantly teased and ridiculed at school, being called things such as “Mr. Burton’s lap puppy” and “gay” and that the children wonder if they themselves are gay.
Burton speaking at his sentencing apologized to the victims parents and saying that he was once a great teacher but that his actions had made his prior efforts “worthless”. Burton speaking of his victims also said, “I wasted a year of [the victims'] schooling, and possibly ruined their lives”.
References:
Prison time for former teacher who molested boys (11/02/07)
Former Tooele school school teacher sentenced for molesting children (11/02/07)
Ex-teacher is guilty of molestation in Tooele (8/22/07)
Former teacher to face sex trial
Ex-teacher ordered to trial in child sex case
3rd-graders testify in teacher sex-abuse case
Boys Testify Against Teacher in Sex Abuse Case
Background:
References for Leslie Baird:
Light Sentence For Sex Offender May Be Gender Bias
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