ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 10, 1996 TAG: 9612100096
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MANASSAS
SOURCE: Associated Press
A longtime high school teacher accused of secretly videotaping girls while they used a school bathroom pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor in the case Monday and agreed to resign.
Prosecutors dropped four felony charges against John Jenkins and recommended he serve no time in jail as long as he does not return to work at Potomac High School.
``Our assurance was to get him out of the school system,'' Prince William Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert said.
Ebert also said the young victims were reluctant to testify.
Four girls ages 9 to 14 accused Jenkins, 56, of leading them to a faculty bathroom at the school where the girls told police they found a camera pointed at the toilet.
Jenkins, athletics and activities director at the school, faced up to 41 years in prison if convicted of the felony taping charges. He pleaded no contest to attempted illegal taping, which carries up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
``I took a long look at the situation and decided this is the best thing to do, and get on with my life,'' Jenkins said after entering his plea in Prince William Circuit Court.
Jenkins said he will quit this month. He has been on unpaid leave since shortly after the girls' allegations broke in August.
His lawyer, David G. Brickley, said his client is innocent. Jenkins agreed to the plea deal in order to avoid an expensive, difficult trial, Brickley said.
Police confiscated more than 100 tapes from Jenkins' office and home, but none contained any illicit material.
Circuit Judge Richard Potter will sentence Jenkins on Jan.29.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB