Teachers in Sumner County Tennessee Facing Statutory Rape Charges of Students
Gallatin and Portland , TN 37148
United States of America
In October, 2007 Gallatin,Tennessee volleyball and softball coach, Holly Hatcher, age 26, was charged with 9 counts of statutory rape involving students in both Sumner and Davidson counties. Hatcher is currently awaiting a judge's review of her case and has not yet gone to trial.
On October 1, 2008, the headline of the Portland Progressive said it all . . . "Reading, Writing, and . . . Math Teacher Arrested for Having Sex with a Student". Portland High School math teacher, Sandra Binkley, age 36, was charged with statutory rape of a 17-year-old male student during school hours at Portland High School. The incident allegedly happened last March and came to light recently after the student told his parents about the sexual encounter with his math teacher. The parents met with the Principal at Portland High School and the incident was immediately reported to the Portland Police Department.
According to an affidavit filed in Sumner County General Sessions Courts, math teacher, Sandra Binkley has confessed to having oral sex and intercourse with the student while school was in session. Sandra Binkley has been a Sumner County teacher for ten years.
The Portland Police Department issued a statement saying, in part, "We are all saddened to have to report this incident and feel that the public trust has been violated by this act."
Sumner County Schools spokesperson, Jeremy Johnson, read a prepared statement saying, "The Director of Schools and the administration of Sumner County Schools are deeply concerned and saddened by the allegation of teacher misconduct . . ." "First and foremost our thoughts are with the alleged victim and the victim's family."
Sandra Binkley, accompanied by her husband, her attorney and her pastor, turned herself in at the Sumner County Jail on September 26, 2008. After posting $5,000 bail, she was released and is scheduled to appear in Sumner County General Sessions Count on October 8th.
As sad as this report is, a statement made by a student at Portland High School is even more disturbing: "There are other teachers at school that it wouldn't have surprised us had they been arrested for it, but we were shocked it was her."
This is a very disturbing comment from one of the local high school students and leaves the community wondering about the quality of teachers within the school system. The Portland Police Department has asked the community not to judge the entire Sumner County School System by the actions of these two teachers, but it is, nonetheless, a very disturbing trend.
As of October 2, 2008, Portland Police say that two more students have come forward and Sandra Binkley has been charged with three counts of statutory rape and one count of sexual battery. The investigation is still on-going.
Source:
The Portland Progressive - October 1, 2008 - Volume 4, Number 39
http://www.tennessean.com/
Published by Vicki Messer
In 1997 I began a personal journey of healing from years of childhood sexual abuse. For the better part of 10 years, I worked my way through the painful repressed memories of incest at the hands of several... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a Comment"As sad as this report is, a statement made by a student at Portland High School is even more disturbing: "There are other teachers at school that it wouldn't have surprised us had they been arrested for it, but we were shocked it was her."" - That is incredibly disturbing. Excellent article.
This literally gave me chills. Great work on writing this one, even though unfortunate. Thanks for all your support, and I look forward to reading more and more often. -Catdoggie
What is wrong with the teachers... and what is wrong with the boys that want to get with them?
Sometimes I have a tendency to think, What is the world coming to, but...as disturbing as this is, I think it is not worse...it is just finally getting reported and dealt with. What used to be a completely taboo subject is now getting the attention it has deserved for years. Thanks for the article!
What are these people thinking?
It is absolutely disgusting
I do not understand why teachers prey on students like this. I really do not! Excellent reporting.
Very disturbing stuff! This has to stop!
Very well written.
ditto on Charlottes comment, well written!