(07/08/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Ronald Alvin Thompson, 56, a science teacher and coach at Hartley School in Hartley, Texas has reportedly been arrested on allegations that he forced a child to touch him in a sexual manner.
Reportedly, Thompson was arrested on a charge of indecency with a child and was being held in the Hartley County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.
District Attorney David Green has refused to release information regarding the age and gender of the victim. In addition, Green has also refused to release information regarding the grade Thompson teaches or the sport he coaches.
A review of the Hartley Independent School District web site indicates that Thompson is a science teacher and coach and a member of the middle school and high school faculty.
Hartley School is a PK through 12th-grade school with slightly less than 200 pupils.
11/18/09 – Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Ronald Thompson, who pleaded guilty earlier this month on one count each of indecency with a child and having an improper relationship with a student has been sentenced.
Thompson has been sentenced to 8 years in prison on each count with the sentences to run concurrently.
In exchange for Thompson’s guilty pleas, prosecutors dropped three other felony counts.
Although Thompson pleaded guilty he exercised his right to have a jury, rather than the judge, decide his sentence.
The victims were girls, ages 13 and 17-years-old.
Thompson will be required to register as a sex offender when released from prison.
11/20/09 – Update on Sentencing
Robin Scott in a report titled, “Hartley teacher sentenced by jury” and published in The Dalhart Texan provides an excellent explanation on the unique plea agreement and sentencing of Ronald Alvin Thompson.
Scott’s report, quoting David Green, District Attorney, points out that “Texas is the only state in the Union to have a judge or a jury set punishment. All other states have juries that determine guilt or innocence, but then a judge decides the punishment”.
Be sure and check out Scott’s report for the details on the plea agreement and a very informative glimpse into the criminal justice system in Texas.
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Is it possible to believe that the prosecution would drop three felony counts( which were probably much more graphic in nature) if they had solid evidence in this kind of case. Would it not make more sense to plea down instead of face all those counts in the so called Texas Justice System, guilty or not. They can hang u & yes they will>>>>don’t mess with texas. If he’s guilty so be it, all I’m saying is he could have been put in the position to admit guilt just to save his life or whats left of it anyways. I think there are details that were left out due to the sensitive nature of the case, maybe a teenage crush, or a sibling of one of the accusers being released from a team,,,,,coached by who I wonder????
Beware of men sporting a goatee and mustache, that’s all I can say!