Lancaster Co. Band Teacher Faces Additional Charges
posted 5:34 pm Tue January 29, 2008 - Lancaster County
There is even more legal trouble for a Lancaster County band teacher accused of sex acts with a student. Now there are five jurisdictions filing charges against 29-year-old Todd Sheerer. He is accused of sex acts with a student.
The investigation began in Manheim Township and then expanded to Warwick Township. On Monday though, Warwick High School band teacher Todd Sheerer was actually arraigned on six counts of corruption of minors for alleged acts in five different Lancaster County jurisdictions. That is because once Manheim Township Police talked with the girl, they say she told them of other places where she met with Sheerer and details of what happened there.
The investigation began earlier this month when someone called Manheim Township Police about a car in a Friendly's parking lot. Police say Sheerer was inside with a 17-year-old girl who was his student. Soon, other police departments were involved.
Lt. Edward Tobin with Warwick Township Police explains, "We had a good team of investigators that all worked in cooperation with each other."
After interviewing the girl, Manheim Township Police contacted Warwick Township Police about alleged inappropriate sexual encounters that happened in Warwick Township. Court documents indicate meetings happened at the Scooter's restaurant parking lot and at Rohrer's Quarry.
"It's always concerning when you're dealing with any act committed upon a juvenile or minor child. So the police reaction is swift and thorough," says Lt. Tobin.
Manheim Boro Police also filed charges after the girl told them she met Sheerer at a parking lot at Stiegel and Oak Streets.
Chief Barry Weidman with Manheim Boro Police notes, "It's an area that's somewhat secluded, an area with many vehicles where you can pretty much, if you're in a car, you can pretty much disappear."
Court documents allege sexual meetings between Sheerer and the girl in Manheim Township, Warwick Township, Manheim Boro, Lititz and Penn Township.
"It's a situation that involves a person who is in a position of responsibility, where young people look up to that individual," says Chief Weidman.
Todd Sheerer's attorney, Merrill Spahn, tells abc27:
"We are currently not in the position to discuss the specific factual allegations. I would note that, at present, we are dealing with allegations made by a nearly 18-year-old woman. Neither these allegations, nor her intentions, have yet been tested, challenged, or independently corroborated."
"Additionally, I am troubled by the characterization that this matter has received in the various media accounts to date. There is an inherent distinction between conduct that constitutes criminal behavior and conduct which, while inappropriate, is not criminal as defined by Pennsylvania Law. This distinction will not be forgotten by myself, or anyone involved in Mr. Sheerer's defense."
A preliminary hearing for Sheerer is scheduled for February 5th.
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