Teacher from Crystal arrested on sex charges

He allegedly victimized two foster boys. Osseo school officials says there's no indication he assaulted students.

By ROCHELLE OLSON, Star Tribune

Last update: February 4, 2009 - 6:39 AM

A junior high school special-education teacher from Crystal is in jail and charged with three felonies involving alleged criminal sexual conduct with two teenage foster boys in his home.

But there is "no indication any students currently enrolled" at North View Junior High School in Brooklyn Park were assaulted by Pen Dwaine Standifer, Osseo schools spokeswoman Barbara Olson said.

Standifer, 49, is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim identified as A.R.F., who was 15 when the incident occurred in December. First-degree conduct involves penetration.

Standifer also is accused of second-degree and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in November and December 2005 for a victim identified as S.R., who was also 15 at the time and also a foster child in Standifer's home.

S.R. initially filed a complaint in January 2006 alleging Standifer touched him inappropriately. That incident, reported to have occurred in Brooklyn Center, was investigated by police there, but no action was taken, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said.

During the more recent investigation, officers spoke with other boys who had been in Standifer's care, including S.R. Two other boys also reported incidents, but charges weren't filed involving those boys.

Freeman said Standifer "perpetrated crimes against children that simply shouldn't happen."

Standifer is on paid leave from his $65,538-a-year job, Olson said. He has held the position since 1994. She declined to say how many students he had contact with at the school or when he went on leave. The district is conducting its own investigation and has sent notices to parents of Standifer's arrest, she said.

He is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Both young men reported smoking marijuana with Standifer before the incidents occurred. S.R. said Standifer had marijuana "all over the house and would smoke it with foster children."

A.R.F. reported smoking and then being massaged by Standifer with various oils and creams.

After the latest incidents, police searched Standifer's home and found 140 grams of marijuana. They also found numerous bottles of lotion in his bedroom, the complaint said.

Standifer was arrested Monday night without incident as he tried to put gas in his car, police said.

Police request that anyone with information about Standifer call 763-531-1014.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

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