SPERRENG, Missouri - Middle school PE instructor James Wilder III was arrested for having illicit relationship with a 16-year-old girl - sodomy charges pressed for inappropriate sexual contact with the student under his care at the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Wednesday.
According to sources, the Sperreng teacher arrested was charged with six counts of sodomy and is currently on a $50,000 cash bond after allegations of his sexual affair with his student in 1996 - 17 years ago - were proven true.
The victim, who was only a Sophomore at Lindbergh High School during that time, confessed that the affair between her and Wilder began on August 1, 1996 and allegedly ended on September 21, 1997 - the day she turned 18. She added later on that the Sperreng teacher who was arrested, was apparently his coach for cross country and track.
The 47-year-old accused had been on paid administrative leave when the investigation proceedings were carried out. He left the institution on August 20, says St. Louis County Police Department Officer Randy Vaughn.
Wilder is currently a Physical Education instructor in the Lindbergh School District, where he also held positions as health and even math educator.
Officer Vaughn also revealed that the accused faced similar charges in 2008 when allegations about his covert relationship with a different student surfaced. However, the investigations were stubbed due to the lack of "credible evidence."
"We are troubled and disturbed when we receive allegations such as this. [...] We want our parents to know we'll do whatever we can to cooperate with police," Director of Community Relations for the Lindbergh School District Beth Johnson said.
The Sperreng teacher who was arrested earlier is now detained in the St. Louis County Jail; he is to be put behind bars for at least 7 years.
It can be noted that the statue of limitations for the said type of felony has already been extended in Missouri since 2011. This allows for legal prosecution to take course within 30 years following the period when the felon was committed.
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