Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 12, 1993 TAG: 9302120403
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KEVIN KITTREDGE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEMBROKE LENGTH: Medium
GILES TEACHER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE
A teacher at Eastern Elementary School was arrested after school hours Wednesday on charges he sexually abused two teen-age boys, authorities said.Tim Myers, a first-year schoolteacher and a resident of Ripplemead, is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery and one of forcible sodomy, Commonwealth's Attorney James Hartley said Thursday.
The sodomy charge carries a possible life prison term, Hartley said.
Hartley said the charges involve two juveniles - although others may have been abused as well. He said investigators are talking to at least five juveniles who may be victims.
Hartley said he does not know yet if there will be additional charges.
Myers, 27, was arrested at the school in rural Giles County after school hours Wednesday, Hartley said. The arrest was made by plainclothes police.
Giles County schools officials said almost all of the students were gone when the arrest was made.
The incidents that led to the arrest occurred at a cabin and not at the school, Hartley said.
He declined to specify how Myers knew the boys involved, but said officers arrested Myers at the school only because they knew he would be there. "There is no significance in the place of arrest," he said. "None whatsoever."
Myers has been suspended without pay from his position teaching sixth and seventh grades, said James Wheeler, an administrative assistant for Giles County schools.
Myers' salary will be kept in escrow until the charges against him are resolved, Wheeler said.
Myers, a Giles High School graduate who lives with his parents, has been released on bond, Hartley said. He said the teacher probably would be arraigned later this month.
Efforts Thursday to contact Myers were unsuccessful.
Asked if Myers had a prior record, Hartley said "We are not aware of any criminal charges prior to this time."
Myers was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts and in coaching, say those who knew him. He also coached sports and was an assistant recreation director for the town of Pearisburg.
Hartley said Myers' position with the town involved a number of duties, including managing the town swimming pool in the summer.
Myers also coached a basketball team in the town's Little League program.
Myers was suspended without pay from all duties with the town for an indefinite period, effective Wednesday, said a town release.
"All recreation programs will continue as scheduled. The town will make no other comment," the release said.
Hartley said the investigation should be concluded next week.
He also said the allegations against Myers had come as shock to most people.
"It's a tragedy all around," the prosecutor said.