Michael Gottier
Posted by Webmaster in Band/Music, Hall of Shame, High Schools, Pennsylvania
(11/18/08 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Michael David Gottier, 22, a former assistant band director at Warwick High School in Lititz, Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with one count of corruption of minors for allegedly having inappropriate contact with a 16-year-old female band member.
It is alleged that Gottier was communicating with the girl via cell phone, text messages and Facebook and that he had physically intimate contact with the alleged victim multiple times between September 22nd and 27th.
In one alleged incident investigators say that Gottier kissed the girl and touched her breasts and genitals.
Police say that Gottier told them he knew the girl was 16 when he began the relationship.
Police also indicate that Gottier admitted to touching the girl inappropriately.
Gottier came to the attention of authorities by way of school administrators that had conducted an initial investigation of the alleged inappropriate relationship. School administrators initially contacted the Lititz Police Department on September 29th. The investigation was turned over to state police when investigators determined that the alleged incidents occurred in Elizabeth Township.
Following his arrest Gottier was arraigned and released on $25,000 bail.
Reportedly Gottier was also an assistant band and drill instructor at Owen J. Roberts High School in Chester County, Pennsylvania and has resigned from this position.
Michael Gottier was reportedly fired by the Warwick school system.
Gottier is the second band instructor at Warwick High School to be accused of an improper relationship with a student. Former band director Todd Sheerer recently pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors for having a sexual relationship with a female student, beginning when she was 15-years-old. Sheerer is awaiting sentencing.
A former Warwick High School coach, Troy May, is reportedly serving an 8 to 30 year prison sentence for having sex with a teen.
12/31/08 – Preliminary Hearing Waived
Michael Gottier has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is headed for trial in Lancaster County Court on allegations he had intimate contact with a 16-year-old student.
Gottoer who is scheduled to be arraigned January 28th remains free on $25,000 bail.
04/02/09 – Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Michael Gottier has reportedly pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of corruption of minors.
Gottier, who faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison, was instead sentenced to five years probation.
Gottier was also ordered to undergo sex offender treatment and he is to have no unsupervised contact with minors during his probation.
Reportedly the assistant DA told the judge that the victim’s family did not want Gottier to be sentenced to prison but did want him held accountable and not be allowed to work in a school or around children.
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