(10/16/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Paul Andrew Bess, 59, a teacher’s assistant at Nansemond Parkway Elementary School in Suffolk, Virginia has reportedly been indicted by a grand jury on charges of aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties with a child.
Reportedly, the indictment accuses Bess of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old boy at the school in June. The alleged sexual assault came to the attention of authorities when the boy told a parent that it had occurred during school hours.
In response to the indictment, Bess turned himself in on October 1st.
He pleaded not guilty at an initial appearance in Circuit Court on Thursday.
Bess is reportedly being held without bond at Western Tidewater Regional Jail and will have a bond hearing November 2nd.
Bess, who has worked for Suffolk public schools since August, 2006, and whose job performance has been repeatedly evaluated as “exemplary”, has been placed on administrative leave.
In a letter to parents, Nansemond Parkway Elementary School principal Keith Hubbard said the Department of Social Services had conducted an investigation into this alleged incident in August and determined that the charges were unfounded.
Webmaster’s OPINION:
Taken in totality, there are aspects of this case, as we initially know them, that stink to high Heaven. Ultimately the facts may be revealed if/when this case makes it before a jury. However, it will be a long, long time before than could happen and undoubtedly bond for Paul Bess will be set high, owing to the serious nature of the charges.
In far too many instances, similar scenarios have resulted in the accused accepting a “plea deal” from prosecutors in order to “get it over” on the promise of a lesser sentence than migh result from taking one’s chances with a jury.
Hopefully justice will prevail in this case, one which just may prove again the old saying about getting a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich.
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Now this IS sick