Substitute teacher, who was also the girls softball coach, charged with sexual battery
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WILDER — A substitute teacher and softball coach in Parma is facing a felony sex charge after he allegedly sent a photo of his genital piercing to a student.
Jeffery S. Ward, 52, is charged with sexual battery of a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years.
According to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, Ward began substitute teaching and working as a girls softball coach for the Parma School District in December 2014. Ward would primarily substitute for classes at the high school or the Regional Technical and Education Center in Wilder.
The 17-year-old female victim moved to the area and met Ward when he was teaching one of her classes. Ward recruited the victim to play on the softball team. After the spring 2018 softball season, the victim had little contact with Ward until the school year began again in the fall, according to court documents.
On Sept. 13, the victim was in a class that Ward was teaching. Documents state the two were alone in the classroom when Ward began talking about getting a new tattoo on his ring finger, according to court documents.
Ward then told the victim he had also gotten a navel piercing and then showed the victim the piercing, according to court documents. Ward also said he had other piercings and nodded toward his groin area.
In the conversation, the victim told Ward she wanted to get her nipples pierced and showed him pictures of jewelry she liked. Shortly after the conversation, Ward allegedly sent the victim a text asking to keep the conversation between the two of them, according to court documents.
Later in the afternoon, Ward then allegedly sent several text to the victim reading, “Want to see my piercings? Swear to God you won’t show it to anyone? I like you, which is why I’m willing to share but I don’t need the whole world knowing, if you know what I mean,” according to court documents.
Police say Ward then allegedly sent a color photo of what appeared to be two piercings of the groin area.
The victim also told police since the time she had known him, Ward had made comments about her appearance and called her “beautiful” and “cute,” according to court documents.
Police interviewed Ward and say he admitted to the conversations and sending the photos of his genital piercing to the victim.
When a warrant was served on Ward he was wearing the groin piercing, according to court documents.
He was arrested on Nov. 21 and is being held on a $250,000 bond at the Canyon County Jail.
Ward is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 30.