Teacher arrested
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BY PHIL HARTMAN
SVN REPORTER
phartman@svnmail.com
A Challand Middle School physical education teacher, who also coaches wrestling at Sterling High School, was arrested Thursday afternoon by Iowa authorities after seeking sex from what appeared to be two minor girls in an online chatroom.
Charles Christopher, 28, of Dixon Avenue, Rock Falls, was being held in Whiteside County jail this morning on two counts of indecent solicitation of a child.
He's been a teacher in the district for five years.
An investigation by the school district is under way, and if the results support discipline or dismissal, "we will not hesitate to take action," said Sterling Schools Superintendent Wil Booker, in a statement issued today.
"Please be assured the matter is currently under investigation by the Sterling School District," Booker said. "While the investigation is under way the district must treat this as a confidential personnel matter. Therefore, at this time, we are not at liberty to disclose any specific information."
Christopher was arrested following a joint investigation by Sterling police and officers of the Burlington, Iowa Police Department. The Burlington department's investigation started in April, when Christopher is alleged to have solicited sexual intercourse from a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and her 11-year-old female friend over the Yahoo! Internet browser's chat system.
The 13-year-old girl was actually a Burlington police officer. Plans were allegedly made for Christopher to meet the girl in Burlington, but were not carried out.
"Since it appeared the source computer was in our jurisdiction, the Burlington police contacted us," said Sterling Police Detective-Sergeant Dough Fargher.
The charge corresponding to the girl Christopher believed to be 13, is indecent solicitation of a minor - criminal sexual assault, which is punishable by three to seven years in prison. The charge corresponding to the girl Christopher believed to be 11, is indecent solicitation of a minor - predatory criminal sexual assault, is a more serious charge punishable by four to 15 years in prison.
The Whiteside County State's Attorney's computer forensics investigator assisted Sterling and Burlington police, and one computer was seized in the investigation. The Burlington police will consult with their attorneys on whether to pursue criminal charges against Christopher in Iowa.
