By Lance Mihm
lmihm@dailystandard.com A New Knoxville teacher pleaded guilty to a count of sexual battery in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court on Thursday and then surrendered his state teaching certificate.
High school social studies teacher Pat McGue, 32, 913 Springfield Lane, Wapakoneta, now awaits sentencing for the third degree felony, according to a press release from Auglaize County Prosecuting Attorney Edwin Pierce. The felony carries a maximum five years in prison and $10,000 fine.
The charge stems from a sheriff's investigation on McGue having sexual relations with a student while McGue was a teacher at the school.
At court Thursday, McGue appeared with his attorney, Robert Kehoe, and pleaded to the charge after waiving his right to have the case heard by an Auglaize County grand jury.
McGue pleaded guilty to the Ohio Revised Code section that states, "No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another when the offender is a teacher, administrator, coach or other person in authority employed by or serving in a school for which the state board of education prescribes minimum standards, while the other person is enrolled in or attends that school." New Knoxville Superintendent Charles Rowen this morning said McGue resigned Wednesday, with the resignation taking effect Monday. Pierce this morning said McGue voluntarily surrendered his teaching certificate after the Thursday court hearing.
"He has completed everything we asked him to do and he will officially no longer be associated with the school on Monday," Rowen said.
McGue had been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation for improper behavior, improper and unethical behavior and sexual battery, according to a letter from Rowen that was placed in McGue's personnel file. The letter was dated March 30 and the leave took effect immediately.
Along with teaching, McGue also was the head coach of the boys' basketball team. He began teaching at the school in the 1999-2000 school year, according to records in his personnel file at the school. |
