Teacher William Milham Arrested for Having Sex with 15-Year-Old Student
In Skaneateles, New York, social studies teacher William Milham, 36, is charged with three felony counts of crimimal sex act for having sexual relations with a 15-year-old female student. Milham teaches at Skaneateles High School.
He was arrested on a recent complaint to police about something that happened five years ago. The indictment alleges that Milham had sexual relations with a 15-year-old female on at least three separate occasions at Skaneateles High School back and elsewhere in the fall of 2002. The former student is now 20.
The state police began their two-week investigation into Milham after they were contacted by the FBI. The person who contacted the FBI was not the victim, but the victim has cooperated with the investigation.
Students who were at Skaneateles High School with the alleged victim said they knew that Milham and the young woman had a close relationship, but didn’t know it was sexual. The victim and teacher used to eat together around town. She would stay after school with him and watch him race motorcycles. The state police say that the relationship continued for about three years.
Milham is suspended by the school district from his teaching duties and involvement in school activities pending further action by law enforcement authorities. He is suspended with pay and benefits, which is required by law for all tenured public school district employees.
Milham has taught at the school for 10 years. People are really surprised by the arrest, especially students who believe Milham to be a real cool guy. His current students say he is the type of instructor kids could talk to about anything. They feel he’s a good teacher and person, and not the type to pressure anyone. They also find it odd that she waited so long to turn him in since the school incourages students to turn in bullies and report sexual harassment.
Milham pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is being held at the county jail on $25,000 bail.
So who do you believe - Milham or the young woman?
William Milham, teacher-student affair, crimimal sex act
October 4th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Anne-Marie: This blog is amazing! Thank you so much for keeping up with this craziness. I was hoping I would run into a blog or web site that actively watches the growing number of teachers who are sexually abusing our kids. I’ll be spreading the word!