Former Glen Lake band teacher Elijah George could face up to four years in jail after pleading guilty this week to charges resulting from a school/ law enforcement investigation in January.
George was arrested less than a month after school officials were alerted by a student witness who reported seeing taking inappropriate photos of a female student by laying his cell phone on his knee. The student documented the activity with their own cell 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, according to Leelanau County Sheriff.
George resigned from Glen Lake.
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 faced six criminal counts — three counts of using a computer to commit a crime and three counts of surveilling an unclothed person.
Using a computer to commit a crime is punishable by 2 to 4 years in prison; surveilling an unclothed person is a 2-year charge.
He is scheduled to be sentenced July 1.
