CHANGE MY LOCATION
Former teacher admits to sex with students
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: GLEN BURNIE, Md.
GLEN BURNIE, Md. (Map, News) - The defense attorney for a former Glen Burnie High School music teacher said that though his client admits to having sexual contact with two teenage girls, the Severn man is not a pedophile.
Jeffrey Stephen Thompson, 37, pleaded guilty Thursday morning in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court to child abuse, stemming from a two-year relationship — from 2003 to 2005 — with a 16-year-old student.
“It was not a situation of exploitation. There was genuine affection involved,” Thompson’s attorney Thomas Morrow said. However, Morrow admitted that this “affection” does not change the fact that a crime was committed.
“A child molester gets tarred with the same brush as those who have inappropriate, unlawful relationships with a minor,” Morrow said, adding that the law does not differentiate between the two.
Prosecutors acknowledged that Thompson and his victim believed they were in love.
The victim “had thought that she was the only one and that he loved her,” said Kristin Riggin, a spokeswoman for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office. “She had known it was wrong for a teacher to have sex with a student but … felt they were in love.”
Riggin said when the victim, by that time in college, learned Thompson was involved with another teenage student, she came to understand she was victimized and went to police.
Court documents said Thompson and the victim often had sex in classrooms and storage closets at Glen Burnie High School, as well as in his Severn home and in local parks.
As for the other student, Morrow said Thompson would also plead guilty Monday to similar charges in Baltimore County. That case stems from an incident in August 2004 at a Towson University music camp where Thompson gave a 17-year-old girl vodka and then sexually abused her, according to investigators.
“He has agreed, in both counties, to accept responsibility for committing a crime,” Morrow said.
Thompson will be sentenced in the Anne Arundel County case on May 15. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Thompson taught music at Meade Middle School from 1997 to 1998, and later at Meade High School until 1999. He then moved to Glen Burnie High School, where he worked until his resignation this July.
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:46 AM MST on Thu., Aug. 21, 2008 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
Report as inappropriate
2:02 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007
re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
Report as inappropriate
2:00 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007
re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
Report as inappropriate
12:18 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007
re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
Report as inappropriate
6:59 PM MST on Fri., Sep. 21, 2007
re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
Report as inappropriate
9:55 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 10, 2007
re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"
Report as inappropriate
Rose Johnson said:
I read the complaints about Ross Ridge apartments,I moved in April 22 of this year.I am having the same problems,I have not seen any mice yet and I live on the bottom floor.My air conditioner was leaking and they left nasty brown stains on my wall which have not been fixed yet,2 months ago.My carpet is wet by the door where the air conditioner is.My bathroom has mold and water stains all over the ceiling above shower head,and stain marks streaking all the way down the tile.I was told there is a leak upstairs and that needed to fixed first before they could fix mine,but that was 2 1/2 weeks ago.Also there is mold around the ceiling along with the water spots.My refrigerator door was not shutting for a month,and was leaving cold air out ,running more than it should have,the light stayed on constantly,open the door and water flys out at you.Took door off and said to take out light bulb.Well frig is still dripping.dishwasher is not bolted to counter,it falls out.They do not fix anything.
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have an update on the ongoing suit of Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Does anyone here know of someone that currently lives there? Has Ross Ridge made any changes or renovations to their apartments? Thank you in advance for your response.
226 agree | 229 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have any update on Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Thank you.
206 agree | 213 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I currently live in Morgan Properties Towson Crossing Apartments. I have been complaining about the mice infestation for over 2 years now. I was told the infestation was because of the renovations. They even put in there newsletter ways to control the infestation by using peppermint oil. This was something I told them I was trying. The exterminator they sent even said there are alot of holes around the baseboard of the floors that needs repairs. With our cheap renovation which consisted of spray painting the bathroom tub and shower, we also got new carpet in the halls, new number signs outside the apt building but no concern, help or remedy to the infestation.
273 agree | 231 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
whats the status of this case... I live in the apartments now and am having the same problems
301 agree | 275 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Towson Crossings Apartments Tenants (Morgan Properties) are experiencing the same horrific living conditions! This morning one of the tenants posted a message in reference to the tenants moving out and the rodents moving in. Ignored work requests, filthy surroundings, trash and filth;I have encountered mice, waterbugs, roaches, crickets, spiders, in less than a month in my newly renovated $880+ top floor, 2-bedroom apartment. I'm so tired of tip toeing through my apartment out of fear of seeing/stepping on something. Its nerve wrecking for someone who maintains cleanliness, work hard to have to find peace outside of "what's considered home". Terrified Unhappy Tenant of Towson Crossings
810 agree | 287 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree