Hockersmith
Prosecutors charged a Greenwood teacher they say had an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Matthew M. Hockersmith, 40, is charged with three counts of child seduction, a Level 5 felony. If convicted, he could face up to 18 years in prison.
Greenwood police received a tip earlier this month alleging an inappropriate relationship between a student and teacher at Greenwood Community High School. Police spoke with the student’s parents and examined the student’s phone, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday in Johnson County Circuit Court.
When police searched the student’s phone, they found explicit messages from Hockersmith, who is also a cross country coach at the high school. Hockersmith and the student referred to each other as husband and wife in the messages, according to court documents.
Police spoke with the student and their parents, and the teen told police she and Hockersmith had begun a relationship this fall, and things progressed quickly. The student told police they had sex three times, and Hockersmith sent nude photographs, court documents show.
The student told police Hockersmith would remind them to delete messages and photos shared between them, and said they felt he had become paranoid about the relationship. Hockersmith asked the student to skip classes, but the student refused to. Both Hockersmith and the student would meet in a room at the high school during passing periods to “make out,” according to court documents.
Police interviewed and arrested Hockersmith on Monday at the high school. Hockersmith told police he taught the student last school year, and regular communication with the student started this fall. He said he felt the emotions in the relationship were consensual. He admitted to the sexual relationship, and said things got out of hand. He also admitted to sending the student nude photos, court documents show.
Police say Hockersmith told them he felt guilty about the relationship, and knew it was wrong to have a relationship with a student. He told police he took responsibility for everything that happened, and that he cared for the student. Police also asked Hockersmith what the end goal of the relationship was, and he said he dreamed about different things, but declined to go into specifics, according to court documents.
“Keeping our children safe from adults who would seek to exploit the nature of the relationship they have with those children is something my office takes very seriously,” Johnson County prosecutor Joe Villanueva said in a news release. “I appreciate the swift action of the Greenwood police and the high school in getting this matter to us.”
Hockersmith was initially placed on immediate administrative leave pending an investigation by Greenwood police, superintendent Terry Terhune said in an email to parents Monday afternoon.
“Yesterday, Greenwood Community School Corporation was deeply disturbed by information and allegations presented to us by the Greenwood Police Department regarding a school employee,” Superintendent Terry Terhune said in a statement Tuesday.
The district also started the process of terminating Hockersmith, Terhune said.
“Counselors have been made available to students and staff. We will continue working with Greenwood Police Department and are appreciative of our partnership,” he said in the statement.
Hockersmith was taken to the Johnson County jail and released on $9,900 bond. An initial hearing has not been set.
