Bad Bad Teacher

(08/10/07 – Initial BBT Report)

Monica Ann Cluck, 25, a kindergarten teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, in Paragould, Arkansas has resigned and been arrested on allegations of first-degree sexual assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Cluck is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old.

Cluck came to the attention of authorities when her husband Jeffery provided sheriff’s deputies with a videotape which reportedly shows her having sex with a teenager and providing the teen with alcohol.

Reportedly Jeffery Cluck had suspicions his wife was involved sexually with members of the Singing Hands sign-language choir at her church and went to the authorities.

Following her arrest, Monica Cluck was released without bond.

Update 8/15/07:

Monica Cluck is now facing two counts of sexual assault in the first degree.

A second boy has come forward telling authorities that he too had a sexual relationship with Monica Cluck. Reportedly the boy was 15-years-old at the time and the relationship occurred between last year and May of this year.

As was the case with the first alleged male victim, the second is also a member of a church group Cluck taught at Marmaduke First Baptist Church.

It is now being reported that Monica Cluck was released on $5,000 bond and has a court appearance set for tomorrow.

06/19/08 – Guilty On All Counts

It took the jury only one hour of deliberation to return a verdict of guilty on all charges against Monica Cluck.

At trial Cluck admitted having sex with the 17-year-old boy. Her defense centered on a contention that at the time Cluck became sexually involved with the 17-year-old that she was no long in a position of “trust and authority” over him.

On the witness stand Cluck denied any sexual contact with the 15-year-old.

She did however admit permitting teens to consume alcohol at her home.

Cluck’s sentencing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Friday morning.

06/20/08 – Sentencing

Monica Cluck used her testimony at sentencing to apologize to her victims, family, friends and community expressing her remorse.

The jury deliberated for almost three hours and then returned with their sentencing recommendation.

On each of two first-degree sexual assault counts Cluck was sentenced to 8 years in prison with the two terms to run concurrent.

She was fined $750 on the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge.

Reportedly Cluck will be eligible for parole in about two years.

05/13/09 – Appeal Denied

The state Appeals Court has upheld the sexual assault convictions of Monica Cluck.

References:

Court Denies Appeal for Teacher Sex Case (05/13/09)

Prosecutors: letters backfired (06/24/08)

Monica Cluck Sentenced (06/20/08)

Cluck Trial Ends With Guilty Verdict and High Emotions (06/19/08)

Breaking News: Jury Deliberates in Cluck Trial (06/19/08)

Breaking News: Monica Cluck Takes The Stand (06/19/08)

Cluck Trial Day 3: Teens Take The Stand (Updated) (06/18/08)

Attorneys argue positions of trust (06/18/08)

Monica Cluck Trial: Day 2 (06/17/08)

Jury selection begins in Monica Cluck trial; no jurors chosen yet(06/17/08)

Jury Selection Continues in Cluck Trial (06/16/08)

Region 8 Teacher Accused of Sex & Drinking with Minors Taught Against Dangers of Drinking (8/16/07)

Paragould Teacher Arrested On Additional Sex Charges (8/15/07)

Teacher Resigns Following Sexual Assault Charge (8/10/07)

Kindergarten teacher charged with sexual assault (8/10/07)

Man goes to police with evidence of underage sex (8/10/07)

Man goes to police with evidence of underage sex (8/10/07) (Same report, second source)

Google Archive of Monica Ann Cluck MySpace Page (7/01/07)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Arkansas, FE-MV, Hall of Shame, High Profile Cases, Kindergarten. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.