(11/05/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Robert Mark Fickenscher, 57, a chemistry teacher at Madison High School, in Madison, Ohio has reportedly been arrested on allegations of attempting to solicit sex from what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Fickenscher was arrested during a teaching symposium at Harvey High School on a warrant from the Pennsylvania Attorney General Child Predator Unit.
It is alleged that Fickenscher and the undercover agent posting as the girl met in a chat room and were speaking between April and July and that Fickenscher and “the girl” planned to meet in the Erie area.
Fickenscher faces extradition to Pennsylvania to face a total of five charges, including attempted unlawful conduct with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility.
Fickenscher has reportedly been placed on paid administrative leave by the school system.
11/06/09 – Case Update
A press release from the office of Pensylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett reveals new information on the allegations and charges against Robert Fickenscher.
According to the press release, it is alleged that Fickenscher repeatedly expressed a desire to meet the girl for sex and described in graphic detail the sex acts he wished to perform. He is also accused of sending five webcam videos that showed him nude or semi-nude, including several in which Fickenscher was engaging in sexual activity in front of his computer along with others showing him wearing women’s undergarments and performing a striptease for the child.
Additionally, Fickenscher allegedly encouraged the girl to obtain a digital camera so that she could send him “revealing” photos of herself.
Fickenscher is charged with five counts of criminal attempted unlawful contact with a minor (related to obscene or sexually explicit material), along with one count of criminal use of a computer, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.
According to the press release, Fickenscher has waived extradition and will be transported from Ohio to Pennsylvania today.
11/16/09 – Court Appearance
Robert Mark Fickenscher made an initial court appearance in Pennsylvania this morning.
At that appearance, the judge lowered Fickenscher’s bond from $150,000 to $25,000, noting this would be Fickenscher’s first offense.
03/01/10 – Trial Date Set
A trial date of May 24th has been set for Robert Fickenscher on four counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
It is alleged that Fickenscher sent five sexually explicit webcam videos to the undercover agent posing as the girl that showed him nude or seminude, including several in which he was engaging in sexual activity in front of his computer.
It is further alleged that other videos showed him wearing women’s undergarments and performing a striptease for the undercover agent posing as the 13-year-old girl.
If convicted, Fickenscher faces up to 35 years in prison.
05/25/10 – Guilty Plea
Reportedly, Robert Fickenscher has pleaded guilty in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court in Pennsylvania to one count of unlawful contact with a minor.
Sentencing is set for July 27th.
A spokesperson for Madison Schools said Fickenscher submitted a letter of resignation that was received Monday. The letter will be read before the Madison School Board at its next meeting.
Fickenscher was a Madison teacher for 10 years, and was named Teacher of the Year by the Madison Walmart in 2008.
09/02/10 – Case Update
Online court records indicated that on July 13, 2010 the state sought a continuance of the sentencing hearing.
On July 22nd, Judge Zottola granted the continuance.
No new sentencing date appears in the court records, nor does an explanation for the delay.
for those wishing to follow this case, the online copy of the Docket in this case is available here.
I would really like to know what the sentence he got was.
Can someone please point me in the direction to where I can find what his sentence was. It’s now August 14th and sentencing was July 27th and I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Thanks.
It is amazing to hear about all of this man’s past students’ comments. I too was a student of his and I never felt uncomfortable or uneasy around him. As a parent, I now ask myself how I expect to keep my daughter safe and aware of people such as him. I didn’t even get a feeling of awkwardness from him. Soon I will be sending my daughter to public schools and I cannot help but to fear for her safety. We trust these teachers with our children and yet we cannot make decent judges of heir character.
When will updates be posted?
I need the name of this case please for a school assignment. Fickenscher v. ?
I can’t find it anywhere! Thank you!
This guy was one of my teachers in school. This makes me sick in more ways than one. I hope he gets what he deserves. I never had any issues with him, but somethings make sense.
IF you go to madisonschools.net there is a posting in the middle labeled letter to parents … read that letter it give accurate information that is up to date as of 11/5/09.