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A jury has found Theron Roberts, the former band director at Crestwood High School located at 281 S Mountain Blvd, Mountain Top, PA 18707, guilty of sexual assault charges. Roberts, 41, was convicted of felony institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors, and two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault per a recent report by NorthcentralPA.com.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in 2019, where Roberts was accused of groping a student. According to the testimony, the victim, who first met Roberts when they were in seventh grade, endured a pattern of sexual advances from the band director over the years.
"This defendant abused his position of power and invested time in grooming the student, obtaining their trust, before assaulting them," said Attorney General Michelle Henry. "I applaud the jurors for their attention to this serious matter, and I admire the courage of the victim to come to court and face their abuser to ensure justice was served."
The testimony revealed that Roberts touched the victim's thigh during individual lessons, commented on the victim's romantic relationship with another student, and touched the victim's uniform around intimate portions of their body. The assault culminated when Roberts pulled the victim to a secluded alcove, grabbed the victim's buttocks, and threatened them not to tell anyone.
Roberts is scheduled to be sentenced on September 27, 2024. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Julia van Leeuwen and Senior Deputy Attorney Lauren Eichelberger.
In the wake of the disturbing conviction of a former Pennsylvania high school band director for sexually assaulting a student, we turned to an experienced child sex abuse lawyer, Guy D'Andrea, to provide crucial insight into the legal options available to victims in such cases. D'Andrea, who has spent years advocating for those who have suffered abuse at the hands of authority figures, shares his expertise on how victims can hold not only the perpetrator, but also the negligent school district, responsible for their actions.
Editor Darla Medina: Thank you for joining us, Mr. D'Andrea. In a case like this, where a teacher in a position of power sexually assaults a student, what legal options are available to the victim?
Child Abuse Attorney Guy D'Andrea: Victims of sexual abuse by a teacher have several legal avenues they can pursue. First and foremost, they can seek criminal charges against the perpetrator, as we saw in this case with the former band director being convicted of institutional sexual assault and other charges.
Additionally, victims may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator as well as the school district for negligence in failing to protect the student. Schools have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their students, and if they were aware of any warning signs or failed to properly vet or supervise the teacher, they can be held liable.
DM: That's an important point. So the school district can be held accountable as well, even if they weren't directly involved in the abuse?
GD: Yes, that's correct. Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for their students. If they knew or should have known about inappropriate behavior by a teacher and failed to act, they can be liable. This could include things like not properly investigating reports of misconduct, not having adequate policies and training in place, or not properly screening and supervising staff.
DM: And what kinds of damages can victims seek in a civil lawsuit against the school district or the perpetrator?
GD: Victims may be able to recover damages for things like emotional distress, therapy and counseling expenses, lost educational or career opportunities, and any other costs associated with the abuse. In particularly egregious cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the perpetrator and school district for their actions.
The most important thing is that victims know they have options to seek justice and hold all responsible parties accountable, not just the individual abuser. School districts need to be held to a high standard when it comes to protecting vulnerable students.
DM: That's a very important point. Thank you for your time and expertise, Mr. D'Andrea. This information is crucial for victims of sexual abuse to understand their legal rights and options.
GD: Thank you, it was my pleasure. I hope this conversation helps provide some clarity and encouragement for victims to come forward and seek the justice and support they deserve.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual abuse by a teacher or other school employee, it's important to understand that you have legal rights and options. Our team is committed to fighting for justice and ensuring that victims receive the compensation and support they deserve. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and guide you through the legal process. Don't suffer in silence - reach out today and let us help you take the first steps towards accountability and healing.
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