THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411240626
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
A former Virginia Beach teacher and ROTC instructor was acquitted Wednesday of charges that he fondled a First Colonial High School student while inspecting ROTC uniforms.
William A. Ehrig, 50, formerly of the 1800 block of Eden Way, originally faced multiple charges of custodial indecent liberties after four students complained in January. They were in the school's Junior Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program.
Ehrig, a retired Navy chief petty officer, was acquitted of two charges in September. On Monday, a judge dismissed a third charge. Wednesday's trial was the last Ehrig faced.
The acquittal cleared Ehrig's name, said his attorney, Robert G. Morecock.
Morecock said he will file Monday to have all records of the charges expunged from Ehrig's record.
``It's unfortunate that the system doesn't allow restoration of his reputation,'' Morecock said.
Ehrig suffered financially because of the charges, Morecock said. He was suspended without pay, lost his house and had to move to Georgia.
Ehrig had been teaching at First Colonial for seven years, police said.
Three of the students who complained against Ehrig were 16, and the other was 15. They said he lined them up for inspections, then touched some of the girls' breasts as he adjusted or moved medals on their uniforms during classes.
KEYWORDS: CHILD MOLESTER TRIAL ACQUITTAL by CNB