CHESTERTOWN –– Police have charged a Kent County Middle School teacher with sex offenses and assault.
James Scott Beck, 60, of Crumpton is accused of touching the breasts of a 12-year-old female student during an after-school athletic program April 23 in the gymnasium, according to the charging document. He was acting as a soccer club coach at the time of the alleged incident.
A Kent County Public Schools spokesperson said Beck has been on administrative leave and off of school grounds since the alleged incident was reported last month.
The Chestertown Police Department on May 14 served Beck with an arrest warrant charging him with third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sex offense [two counts] and second-degree assault.
He initially was held in the Kent County Detention Center without bond.
Following a bail review on May 15, Beck posted $10,000 unsecured personal bond. He was released on electronic monitoring.
In a statement sent out to families on May 15, a KCPS spokesperson said Beck’s arrest, which did not occur on school grounds, is the result of a law enforcement investigation initiated after the school received the complaint.
“We take all concerns brought to our attention very seriously and take action in accordance with our policies and procedures. This case is a criminal matter, and we direct any questions to the Chestertown Police Department and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Kent County,” the statement reads.
According to the online Maryland Judiciary Case Search, Beck has a preliminary hearing in the District Court for Kent County on June 12. At that time a judge will determine if there is probable cause to believe that Beck committed the alleged offenses.
According to the Chestertown Police Department, the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sgt. Chris Schwink at 410-778-1800 or schwink@chestertownpolice.com.
Trish McGee, owner and publisher of The Evening Enterprise, is president of the Kent County Board of Education. She did not contribute to this report.