Former gymnastics teacher charged with sexual contact with freshmen



[ad_1]

John Austin Hopkins, 25, was detained after a three-month investigation by the Springboro Police Department that began in March when a parent reported him to elementary school. Clearcreek, announced the authorities.

He was charged with 36 counts of serious sexual imposition involving 28 girls.

We did not know if Hopkins had a lawyer. According to the clerk of the court, Hopkins does not have one yet. His indictment has not been scheduled.

"Based on the examination of evidence of the case by our office, we believe that there was evidence not only of inappropriate contacts, but also of potential criminal behavior on the part of M Hopkins, "said Monday Warren County Attorney David Fornshell.

The investigators had access to a security camera containing a video showing that Hopkins was interacting with the students during a gym class between December 2018 and March 2019. The police determined that Hopkins, who was in his first year as a student, was not in the gym. permanent teacher, had had physical contact with more than 80 students.

When asked if Hopkins was trying to get the girls to touch him, Fornshell replied, "It was mostly him who touched them" and that Hopkins would "position them to ride him."

In the end, a grand jury charged him with 28 students.

The 36 counts are third degree crimes and are defined as sexual contact with a person under 13 years of age and affecting erogenous zones for sexual gratification, Fornshell said.

Hopkins also taught gymnastics at the middle school district.

The school system said Hopkins was on paid administrative leave in March, the day he learned of "the possible behavior of Mr. Hopkins". In a statement to CNN, the school systems said Hopkins resigned four days later on March 12 and was approved by the council the next day.

Parents with children in the school system received letters and phone calls from the school throughout the investigation process, the release said, and provided information on a support group for parents.

Julia Jones and Emily Bass contributed to this story.

[ad_2]

Source link