Kirk James Hellwig
Posted by: Webmaster in Hall of Shame, High Schools, ME-MV, New York, Social Studies(5/22/07 - Initial BBT Report)
Kirk James Hellwig, 37, of Saratoga Springs, New York and a social studies teacher at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, NY has been arrested on allegations of repeatedly having oral sex in his classroom with a 16-year-old male student during the school day.
Hellwig came to attention of authorities last week when a rumor circulated at the school that he was allegedly carrying on a sexual relationship during school time with one of his students. School principals approach a police officer stationed at the school and an investigation was initiated.
The alleged victim said the relationship was consensual and cooperated in the investigation and is now reportedly getting therapy. Hellwig was charged because a 16-year-old is not old enough to consent under New York law.
Hellwig, who is single has been a teacher at the school since 1999 and in addition to teaching has also coached baseball and wrestling at the school.
The alleged sexual contact with the teen took place in the classroom while the two were alone and is speculated to have been on-going since January.
Hellwig has been charged with three counts each of felony third-degree criminal sex act and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. He has been suspended from his position at the school and been banned from entering school property.
Following his arrest, Hellwig was released on $25,000 bail and is set to reappear in court on Thursday, unless the case is presented to a grand jury.
8/18/07 - Guilty Plea
Kirk James Hellwig pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree disseminating indecent material over the Internet to a minor and third-degree criminal sex act.
Hellwig’s guilty plea came as a result of a plea deal with prosecutors under which Hellwig will be sentenced to 10 years’ probation on the disseminating indecent material count and will be sentenced to between 9 months and one year in jail on the criminal sex act count, with that sentenced to be determine once a psychological report has been received by the court.
Additionally Hellwig was ordered to surrender his state teaching license for life and to resign from the East Greenbush Central School District.
When the judge asked Hellwig to explain his action, Hellwig stated, “I had oral sex with a young man under the age of 17?.
Police believe that Hellwig had oral sex with the boy three times, in Hellwig’s classroom, and that the relationship may have been ongoing since January. The boy has undergone counseling and says the acts with Hellwig were “consensual” in nature.
Hellwig, who is unmarried, taught social studies at the school since 1999 and when arrested was reportedly posing on a MySpace Web site as a 15-year-old boy.
9/11/07 - Hellwig Starts Sentence Early
Kirk Hellwig began his jail sentence one month early, saying he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.
Hellwig under the terms of his plea agreement will serve 9 months to one-year in jail.
11/07/07 - Formal Sentencing
Kirk James Hellwig appeared in court in jail attire and was formerly sentenced to nine months to one year in jail.
In September he began serving his sentence early, saying he wanted to get it over.
2/28/08 - Risk Assessment Hearing
At a risk assessment hearing hearing today Kirk James Hellwig was designated a Level 2 sex offender.
This means that the court found that Hellwig is at moderate risk of recidivism.
As a Level 2 sex offender Hellwig must register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, must also inform authorities if he changes his address and his name and status will be posted on the state’s Web site.
Hellwig will be required to remain on the registry for life
References:
Ex-area teacher on sex offender registry (2/28/08)
Ex-Columbia teacher sentenced for sex act (11/07/07)
Former teacher begins prison sentence early (9/11/07)
Teacher Pleads Guilty (8/28/07)
Columbia teacher admits sex with student (8/28/07)
Teacher accused of repeated sex acts with student
East Greenbush School District Web Site - Letter to Parents/Guardians
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