MIDDLETON, TN -- A Hardeman County, Tennessee, teacher is charged with raping teen boys.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Michael Lane Teague had inappropriate sexual contact with two students at Middleton High School. The former criminal justice teacher is accused of testing the boys for sexually transmitted diseases after school hours.
"He's supposed to be a role model to the kids. It's really upsetting to hear a teacher did something like that," says student Bryce Sipes.
According to an arrest report, a student came forward about an incident that happened in January 2009. The boy says Michael Teague told him he should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. The boy told police Mr. Teague came to his house after school, inserted a swab into his penis and left.
Investigators say another student admitted Mr. Teague did the same thing to him in May 2008. In that case, Mr. Teague is accused of picking up the boy in his truck and taking him on a back road in the Hickory Valley area. Mr. Teague told him the swab tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease, but when the student went to the health department and was tested, the result was negative.
The school district fired Michael Teague, but not because of these charges alone. Before the rape charges came to light, Teague was arrested for theft at “Kirk’s Supermarket” in Middleton. According to police, Teague worked part time as an assistant manager and was running a gift card scam. Police say in April 2009, Teague pleaded guilty to theft charges and was ordered to pay restitution to the grocery store.
Michael Teague is charged with two counts of rape by force. He was released on a $50,000 bond and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. Teague's trial is set for September 2009.
