PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, Nov. 18, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A Pleasant Grove High School teacher was arrested Thursday after a 17-year-old boy alleged the two engaged in illegal activity.
A probable cause statement released by Utah County said Kenneth Columbus Ayers was charged with one count of third-degree unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Ayers was booked into Utah County Jail Thursday with his bail set at $5,000.
“Due his job description, it has been determined that Kenneth Ayers holds a position of special trust,” the statement said. “During the spring of 2018 Ayers was assisting a 17-year-old male student with an assignment after class.”
While assisting the student, Ayers touched him inappropriately, the statement said.
The incident was reported to the Pleasant Grove Police Department on Nov. 13 by the boy’s clergy.
Pleasant Grove police conducted an interview with the student on the same day.
“During that interview, the victim disclosed that he had gone to Ayers’ classroom after school for help with an assignment,” the statement goes on. “While he was in the classroom working on his assignment, he confided in him, (Ayers) and told him of some personal problems he was having. During this time, the 17-year-old victim requested sexual contact from Ayers.”
After the alleged sexual contact, which reportedly lasted for 20 to 30 seconds, the student got up and left the classroom.
Ayers was interviewed by Pleasant Grove police on Thursday.
“Kenneth admitted to engaging in a sexual act with the 17-year-old male student,” the statement said. “He admitted that he was assisting the student with an assignment after school. He told police that he looked over the student’s shoulder to inspect his work. When he did this he observed a hand-written note next to the student.”
Ayers told police that the student subsequently asked the teacher to destroy the note. The teacher told police that he kept the note and had it at his home. Officials obtained consent to search Ayers’ home and during the search, located a note that matched the description that Ayers’ gave police. The note has been seized and booked into evidence.
Ayers was then transported to the Utah County Jail and booked on the above charges.
