DA: Ex-Christian school teacher abused 7 Pa. boys

September 20, 2012 at 8:42a.m.

SHIREMANSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A fired music teacher at a central Pennsylvania Christian school allegedly fondled or otherwise inappropriately touched students as young as 8 years old.

Former Bible Baptist School music teacher William Jackson was charged Wednesday with sexual assault and related charges for his alleged contact with seven boys ranging in age from 8 to 18. The alleged touching ranged from putting his hand under a child’s shirt to asking an older boy to expose himself then fondling him.

Prosecutors say the older victims were students at the school while younger victims were mostly getting private piano lessons from him in his classroom.

Defense attorney Karl Rominger says his client’s actions had no sexual intent and he plans to challenge the allegations in court.

Jackson was fired Sept. 10.