An Indiana high school teacher who has been charged with 10 counts of child pornography and other sex crimes involving children allegedly dared students to touch themselves or let him touch them — in class — before he was outed for the sick crimes of which he stands accused.
Andrew Cowells, 47, was fired from Concord High School on Monday and subsequently charged with “10 counts of possessing child pornography, two counts of child solicitation, two counts each of voyeurism and battery and vicarious sexual gratification” on Wednesday, according to the South Bend Tribune.
Cowells had previously been placed on leave in May after making “inappropriate comments of a sexual nature” and the school district contacted law enforcement.
“A series of seven students interviewed by detectives detailed how Cowells allegedly asked students to touch themselves or let him touch them in front of the class,” the Tribune notes.
One student said that Cowells had asked him to touch himself as he stood on a chair in front of the class, while another said that the teacher had sat on his desk in the classroom and discussed “sexual things.”
A third child said that Cowells had asked if “if anyone had the courage” to let their teacher touch them in class, requesting a volunteer come forward. When one boy did, Cowells allegedly touched him “from his shoulders to his butt[ocks].”
The boys who shared these disturbing details were between the ages of 15 and 16.
Cowells, who was with the district for 17 years, also allegedly touched one student in the bathroom after taking a group of young boys into the restroom.
When detectives obtained a warrant to search Cowells phone, court documents say they discovered several images of boys unclothed, some of whom were performing sex acts.
None of the pornographic images alleged to be on Cowells phone included his own students or children in the area.
Disturbingly, three other teachers from the district have also been placed on leave and police have obtained warrants to search their phones as well.
A statement on Concord Community Schools District’s website informs the public that “Rest assured that any conduct that places our students at risk in any manner will be dealt with directly and severely.”
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