BRIDGETON, Mo. — As former Holman Middle School teacher Jonathan Striebel appeared in court Thursday morning for a bond reduction hearing after being charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse, he was greeted by a gallery of angry parents.
“We were half the courtroom,” Toni Meyer said.
The case was continued for one week as Striebel seeks out legal counsel.
Cameras weren’t allowed inside the hearing where Striebel’s first cousin, Alison Olwig, spoke to the court as an advocate for his alleged victims.
“He is a danger to society,” Alison Olwig told 5 On Your Side outside the courtroom Thursday. “In no way shape or form should he have any type of bond or be released. He’s a predator. He’s been a predator for over two decades now.”
In late September, Olwig became a moderator for Facebook page called Students Against Striebel after hearing concerning allegations came out against the 47-year-old just three days before his arrest.
“Once that fire starts, people are going to speak out, and it’s not been just victims,” Olwig said. “It’s been parents, concerned citizens, former alumni, and I’ve even been reached out to by former coworkers.”
Striebel was charged with both promotion and possession of child sexual abuse material after police said he kept a nude photo of a former student that was taken when she was 16 years old.
Following his arrest, a Pattonville School District spokesperson said they never received any complaints against him.
“How did this happen,” Meyer asked. “How did this happen?”
“Teachers are mandated reporters for a reason,” Striebel said. “It’s a very stressful job, that’s understandable, but if you see something you’re mandated to say something.”
A spokesperson for the school district said Striebel resigned in 2023.
In a statement sent home to parents, the district encouraged anyone with concerns or questions to contact Bridgeton police by calling 314-739-7557.