Sex Charges Against Teacher Dismissed

Tuesday, April 3rd 2007, 7:41 pm

By: News On 6

Sex charges are dropped against a former Tulsa teacher. Former Booker T. Washington teacher, John Stinchcomb, was arrested last May. Stinchcomb was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student, but News On 6 education reporter Ashli Sims reports that student is now refusing to testify.

"It 100%, absolutely did not occur," said Stinchcombâ€™s attorney Keith Ward.

Ward says thatâ€™s what his client claimed all along, and now that charges of sexual battery against him have been dropped, Ward says Stinchcomb feels vindicated.

"We're very relieved,â€ said Ward. â€œWe're very confident that if the case was presented to a jury, then a jury would acquit Mr. Stinchcomb."

Stinchcomb was a photography teacher and soccer coach at Booker T. Washington High School when he was arrested in 2006.

He was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student, at school and at his home. He was originally charged with eight counts of sexual battery and assault.

Court records show four counts were dropped in August. On Monday, the rest were dropped because the girl doesnâ€™t want to move forward.

Ward says he has evidence that the girl denied a relationship with her teacher from the beginning.

"It stated very clearly that the high school student involved adamantly denied that there had ever been any contact, sexual contact between her and Mr. Stinchcomb,â€ he said.

Ward says he doesn't fault any individual police officer, but he does blame police practices.

"The police, in this instance, refused to believe the high school student and coerced her into saying something occurred that didnâ€™t occur,â€ said Ward.

Tulsa Police Sergeant Gary Stansill insists nothing inappropriate was ever done during the investigation. He says the victim admitted to the relationship, and there was evidence backing up her claim.

Ward says now that all of this is over. He might try to go get his teaching job back.

Related stories:

5/11/2006 - Tulsa High School Teacher Arrested

6/7/2006 - Court Hearing Held For Tulsa High School Teacher

6/26/2006 - Booker T Washington High School Teacher Fired