A Richfield Middle School staff member has been placed on administrative leave and is now charged with alleged sexual conduct involving a 14-year-old student.
Joshua James Moton, 23, of Bloomington, has been charged in Hennepin County District Court with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct after school authorities learned from another student about the alleged inappropriate conduct and contacted police earlier this week.
Moton has been employed with the school as a campus supervisor, which includes the duties of escorting students from classrooms to other areas of the school as needed and school security. Moton also works in the roles of paraprofessional and coach to several sports teams at the school, the criminal complaint says.
The charges detail that Moton engaged in sexual contact with the student on multiple occasions while escorting her within the building over at least the last month, the student told police. Moton also contacted the student through social media outside of school.
In a statement to police, Moton initially admitted to communicating with the student through social media but denied sexual contact. Moton finally admitted he had engaged in sexual conduct with the student after police asked if they would find his DNA or bodily fluids on her person or clothing, and he admitted that he knew the conduct was inappropriate and illegal.
Moton’s cellphone was seized and the investigations into the cellphones, social media, and school emails are ongoing.
Richfield Public Schools Superintendent Steve Unowsky issued two statements on the district’s website before and after charges were filed, stating the allegations involving a staff member were “deeply disturbing” and that the district was fully cooperating with law enforcement.
Moton was arrested at his residence on Tuesday and is being held on $650,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday afternoon.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
