A permanent substitute teacher and a coach at Pattonville High School was arrested on charges of being involved in a sexual relationship with a former student who was 16 years of age at the time, Maryland Heights Police said Tuesday.
Corey Lewis, 45, faces charges of statutory rape, statutory sodomy and five counts of sexual contact with a student by a teacher or school administrator.
Police said the incidents happened between August 2012 and December 2013.
Police said they first became aware of the possible crime on October 31 and they made an arrest of Lewis Tuesday.
The Police Department is asking for the public’s help and urges anyone with information pertaining to the case to contact Detective Ben Berges at 314-738-2310 or bberges@marylandheights.com.
Pattonville School District Superintendent Barry Nelson issued a statement Tuesday saying the district was notified of the arrest of Lewis regarding sexual misconduct with a former student.
“We are deeply troubled by any report alleging that an employee may have engaged in inappropriate behavior. Our schools are places where students should always feel safe, and we take any allegation of staff misconduct very seriously.”
Nelson said the school district has been cooperating with the Maryland Heights Police and will continue to provide them with assistance.
"I cannot state strongly enough that protecting the welfare of all students and providing a safe, secure learning environment is our first priority. If additional relevant information becomes available, the district and authorities will disclose those details as appropriate or as permitted by law."
