14 DAY TRIAL // A middle-school teacher from Sperreng, Missouri, has been arrested for having inappropriate relations with a student more than 17 years ago.
James Wilder III allegedly had a relationship with the teenager, which carried on for about a year. She was 16 years old at the time.
According to Christian Post, the woman detailed being involved with Wilder as of August 1, 1996. The affair supposedly ended on September 21, 1997, on the girl's 18th birthday.
The unnamed victim studied at Lindbergh High School, where Wilder was a cross country and track coach and she was a member of the track team.
KSDK details that the 47-year-old man is teaching at Sperreng Middle School in Sappington. He has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
Officer Randy Vaughn, speaking for the St. Louis County Police Department, has informed that he has left the school on Tuesday, August 20.
He is teaching physical education in the Lindbergh School District, and he has previously held positions as a health and math educator.
His records revealed that he was investigated for a similar incident with a student in 2008. The charge was never pursued due to a lack of "credible evidence."
“We are troubled and disturbed when we receive allegations such as this. [...] We want our parents to know we’ll do whatever we can to cooperate with police,” states Beth Johnston, director of community relations for the Lindbergh School District.
Wilder has been charged under a Class C felony and he could be going to jail for seven years.
The statute of limitations for the felony has been last extended in Missouri in 2011. It allows for prosecution within 30 years from the moment when the crime was committed.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds that he is currently detained in the St. Louis County Jail on bond.