18, 2016) A Stephen Decatur High School teacher faces up to 35 years in prison
and a $25,000 fine on charges of sexual abuse of a minor and sexual
solicitation of a minor for his alleged relationship with an unnamed female
student.
According
to court records, 27-year-old Berlin resident and 9th grade government teacher Austin
Martin was charged on Nov. 10 following a tape-recoded interview with two
Worcester County Bureau of Investigation officers, Cpl. Alex Kagan and Det.
Vicki Martin, three days earlier.
A
statement of probable cause, written by Det. Martin, assert that the
allegations involve a 17-year-old who was a former student and currently serves
as a teaching assistant to the man.
The
two allegedly had a relationship that spanned six months, dating back to April
or May of this year, when the student “confided in Martin about her
relationship” with an ex-boyfriend.
When
she didn’t show up for school one day, Martin sent the student an Instagram
message and gave her his cellphone number, the statement alleged. Eventually, via
text, he asked the student for photos.
A
text thread shown by Martin to police and spanning from May to November
allegedly included several pictures of the student in “semi nude poses” that
appeared to have been taken by the student in her bedroom.
Martin
allegedly reciprocated with a similar photo of his own, according to the
charging documents.
According
to police, Martin and the student met at Buffalo Wild Wings in Salisbury and
discussed that they “could not have an intimate sexual relationship.”
“However,
Martin agreed he and [the student] were walking that ‘thin line’ by exchanging
semi nude photos and sexual innuendo,” the officer wrote in the charging
documents, which also make mention of Martin’s wife.
“Martin
knew his relationship with [the student] was inappropriate, but could not
provide an answer as to why he never stopped the relationship,” the officer
wrote, adding that Martin knew his relationship with the student violated
school policy.
Carrie
Sterrs, Worcester County Public Schools spokesperson, released the following
statement last Thursday afternoon: “Worcester County Public Schools is aware of
the investigation into Stephen Decatur High School teacher Austin Martin.”
“When
the school system was made aware of this matter, Mr. Austin was immediately
placed on administrative leave until further notice. The safety and security of
our students is of the utmost importance to our school system, and we will
continue to be proactive and steadfast in ensuring our learning environments
are safe for the children of Worcester County.”
Martin
posted a $25,000 bond and has a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 22 at
Worcester County District Court in Snow Hill.