Former Glen Lake band teacher Elijah George has been arrested on three counts of surveying unclothed persons and three counts using computers to commit crimes.
According to criminal complaint George allegedly took inappropriate photos of a female student by laying his cell phone on his knee.
School administrators were alerted by a student who witnessed George taking the photos last month.
The reporting student documented the activity with their own cell phone photos.
On Jan. 26, George was called to the superintendent’s office to discuss the allegations where it was noticed the teacher was deleting items off his cell phone.
George’s phone was placed on a desk while he was speaking to school administration. And when the officer interviewing him stepped out, George picked up his phone off the desk and again appeared to be deleting items off his phone, the statement continued.
George’s phone was seized and searched pursuant to a search warrant.
It yielded at least three videos on George’s phone inside classrooms that alleges the video camera was pointing upwards, underneath a female student skirt, as well as a video capturing a student in their bra. None of the persons photographed appeared to be aware of the photos existed.
The investigation included the execution of several search warrants of electronic devices as well as residences in the local area as well as St. Clair County. Initial forensic examination of several electronic devices was undertaken with some results still pending, according to Leelanau County Sheriff.
George resigned from Glen Lake earlier this month.
James Kiessel, Leelanau Undersheriff, said that George was arrested in Marysville and transported to Leelanau County where he was arraigned and released on $5,000 bond.
Conditions of his bond include a no-contact order with any minors and a restriction on technology limited to necessary communication with his lawyer.
George has pleaded not guilty to three counts of surveying an unclothed person, a 2-year charge and using a computer to commit a crime, a 2 to 4-year offense.
George’s attorney, Jesse Williams, did not provide a comment as of this publishing.
Glen Lake Community Schools Superintendent Jason Misner sent an email to parents earlier this month announcing the resignation of Glen Lake 6-12 band director Eli George.
“The safety of our students and school community is always our top priority here at Glen Lake Community Schools. We strive to ensure our school buildings are places where students feel safe, welcomed, and comfortable so that they can learn and thrive,” Misner said.
