A Rocky Mountain House Catholic school teacher who had been warned to stop touching students inappropriately has pleaded guilty to one count of sexually assaulting five students.
Jared Eszczuk, 43, of Rocky Mountain House pleaded guilty to the one charge in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench this morning. He was a teacher at St. Matthew Catholic School in Rocky Mountain House.
The incidents occurred between Nov. 1, 2006 and June 20, 2007 and involved slapping, rubbing or touching buttocks of students often in the presence of other students or teachers.
An agreed statement of facts read in court said Eszczuk received a letter of reprimand in April of 2007 to stop such behaviors, but continued. Eszczuk was a teacher at the school for 11 years.
Red Deer Catholic School board superintendent Paulette Hanna has called a news conference for 4 p.m. today to respond to the issue. Red Deer Catholic School Board division includes St. Matthews Catholic School.