Special education teacher at La Crescent school accused of criminal sexual conduct

The Associated Press
January 30, 2013 at 10:04PM

LA CRESCENT, Minn. - A special education teacher at a La Crescent school is charged with molesting children after he was confronted by his students.

Thirty-seven-year-old Jason David Barker is charged in Houston County District Court with second-degree criminal sexual conduct and fifth-degree sexual conduct with children younger than 13.

Prosecutors say five students at La Crescent Montessori Academy confronted Barker earlier this month about his behavior. School staff called police and Barker was arrested at his home Jan. 18.

A criminal complaint says one student told school staff Barker put his hands down her pants and touched her breasts. The La Crosse Tribune ( http://bit.ly/WPWcOO) says Barker has denied the allegations, but says sometimes he pushes the "boundaries in teaching."

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Information from: La Crosse Tribune, http://www.lacrossetribune.com

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