(04/09/09 - Initial BBT Report)
William Tinsley IV, 28, a math and physical education teacher at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida has been arrested and charged with sexual battery on a 17-year-old female student.
Police say that Tinsley sexually assaulted the girl in his home last October.
It is alleged that Tinsley invited the girl to his home, asked her to smoke from a hookah pipe and drink alcohol - which the girl says she declined. It is further alleged that Tinsley and the girl kissed, went to the bedroom, undressed each other and that Tinsley fondled her genitals, but she declined oral sex.
Police say that the victim’s cell phone records and her description of the interior of Tinsley’s home were consistent with the details she gave investigators.
Following his arrest Tinsley was ordered held on $5,000 bond.
Reportedly Tinsley has been fired by the school.
04/11/08 - Tinsley Reported Fired For Similar Issues Previously
It is being reported that Tinsley was fired from a teaching position with the Duval County School District over allegations similar to those which have led to his recent arrest and firing.
The Duval County School District representative said after they fired Tinsley, they reported him to the Florida Department of Education which in turn did nothing regarding Tinsley and which now says “there had been no probable cause to take action against Tinsley’s license”.
09/25/08 - Defense Attorney Challenges Charge
The attorney for Willima Tinsley has filed a motion to have the charges dropped.
The defense contends that even if Tinsley was found to have had sexual contact with the girl, since the incident allegedly happened at the teacher’s home on a weekend, Tinsley had no custodial authority over the teenager.
The state’s attorney argue that the law does apply in this case since, as a teacher, Tinsley had authority over the child even if it was not at school.
No date available for when a decision on the defense motion will be made.
11/11/08 - Judge Rules Tinsley Can Be Prosecuted
Circuit Judge Mark Mahon has ruled that William Tinsley IV can be prosecuted even though the consensual activity occurred off campus after hours.
The judge ruled that Tinsley was in a custodial position over the teen because she was still a student at Lighthouse Christian School. The defense had argued that because the girl came to Tinsley’s residence on Friday night that there was no custodial status.
The judge has yet to set a trial date.
References:
Judge rules fired teacher can be prosecuted (11/11/08)
Ex-Teacher Challenges Sex Charge (09/25/08)
Teacher Accused Of Sexual Battery Fired For Similar Issues In Past (04/11/08)
Teacher arrested, fired after accused of sexual conduct with student (04/09/08)
Teacher Accused Of Sexual Battery Of Student (04/09/08)
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November 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
The girl goes to this guys house looking to get laid and he gets in trouble just because she goes to the school where he teaches. If the girl would have went to a police officers house to get laid the police officer wouldn’t be in trouble. If the girl went to a house of a teacher from a different school to get laid that teacher wouldn’t be in trouble. It looks like this teacher is a victim of broken and bias system.