Teacher found guilty of sex offense on eighth-grader

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Former Baltimore County public school teacher Timothy Gounaris pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing a sexual offense on a middle school student.

A former Pine Grove Middle School teacher, Gounaris, 50, of Baltimore, entered an Alford plea to one count of third-degree sex offense, meaning he maintains his innocence, but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. Prosecutors dropped more serious rape charges after he pleaded guilty.

Gounaris declined to comment as he left the courtroom. He will have to register as a sex offender.

Baltimore County Circuit Judge Robert Cahill Jr. said sentencing would take place in about two months, after a presentencing investigation is completed.

State guidelines recommend a period of probation for Gounaris — who has no previous criminal record — but Baltimore County Assistant State’s Attorney Stephanie Porter said she planned to ask the judge for a period of incarceration.

Gounaris taught the 13-year-old girl he victimized at Pine Grove and engaged in a sexual relationship with her in December 2005, Porter told the judge.

The girl’s mother initially became suspicious about Gounaris’ close relationship with her daughter and alerted authorities.

The girl initially told authorities nothing sexual was going on between her and her teacher, but later admitted that “there was touching below the belt,” according to Porter.

“He started moving his hands around her body and his hands ended down her pants,” Porter said in court.

The girl also said Gounaris engaged her in more serious sexual acts, though not intercourse, Porter told the judge.

The girl eventually came forward with what happened after she realized that “he didn’t really love her” and “it wasn’t right” what they were doing, Porter said. The 13-year-old also had several incidents of suicidal behavior after interactions with Gounaris, the prosecutor said.

Gounaris was indicted in January. He taught at Pine Grove Middle School in Baltimore County until July 1.

Gounaris was teaching eighth grade at Chinquapin Middle School in Baltimore City this year when he was arrested.

He was previously forced to resign from Harford County Public Schools in 2000 amid allegations of relationship with a former Fallston Middle School girl. He was then hired to teach in Baltimore County and, after new allegations, hired again in Baltimore City.

Examiner Staff Writer Ron Cassie contributed to this article.

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com