ASHLAND (UPDATED at 12:20 PM) – Ashland High School teacher Kimberly Siracuse pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual battery Monday morning in Ashland County Common Pleas Court.
Siracuse, 48, was arrested Sunday night at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ashland for repeated incidents dating back nearly 20 years that involved a female who was a student at the time.
When asking for bond Monday, Siracuse’s attorney James Mayer III pointed out Siracuse’s many ties to the community, her lack of prior criminal record and poses no flight risk.
Ashland County Common Pleas Judge Ron Forsthoefel imposed a $15,000 bail bond that could be paid 10 percent or with a surety bond. The judge also ordered that Siracuse have no contact with the victim or any Ashland High School student or personnel unless required for her professional activities.
Siracuse, who taught social studies and government at Ashland High School, was removed from her classroom on March 4 but she continued to work from home through the end of the school year on assignments but had no contact with students. Supt. Doug Marrah has not returned calls seeking confirmation about the current state of Siracuse’s employment with the city schools.
According to a press release from the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, a grand jury indicted Siracuse last week for three counts of sexual battery stemming from incidents that allegedly took place in May and June of 1997. The statute of limitations on these charges is 20 years.
Each of the three counts of sexual battery is a third-degree felony and carries a possible sentence of 1-5 years in prison.
A trial date of March 14, 2017, was set for Siracuse’s case.
This is a developing story that will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available so check back for more information.
