A teacher in Indiana was arrested by Kansas police following an investigation over an alleged sexual relationship he had with a student more than two decades ago.
The Lawrence Kansas Police Department announced via Facebook on Friday, June 12, that John Lotz, a former high school teacher in Lawrence, Kansas, was arrested after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student during an incident that investigators believe occurred 25 years ago.
Lotz, 62, was arrested June 2 in Terre Haute, Indiana, after an investigation was launched regarding the allegations made against him.
Investigators have grown to believe that Lotz was working as a high school teacher in Lawrence between 1999 and 2001 when he engaged in a sexual relationship with the teen student. Police said that Lotz was in his mid-30s at the time of the alleged romance.
Detectives traveled to Indiana and interviewed Lotz before he was taken into custody.
Lotz left Lawrence when he stopped working as a teacher in the area, though he continued his career in education when he moved away, according to police.
Authorities have not publicly shared many details about the case, including the identity of the victim or how long the investigation lasted before Lotz was arrested. It’s also not currently clear how long his alleged relationship with the victim lasted.
Lotz previously worked as an assistant director of business engagement at the Indiana State University Career Center, according to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Following his arrest, the university issued a statement about the matter.
“Indiana State University is aware that a former employee has been charged with criminal offenses in the state of Kansas. Because of an ongoing criminal investigation, the university will not comment further on the former employee, the allegations, or the legal proceedings,” the school’s statement read, per the outlet. “Questions regarding the charges should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement and judicial authorities in Kansas.”
One day after his arrest, Lotz was charged in Douglas County on June 3, according to WTHR. He made his initial appearance in court on June 4 and is currently being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Lotz is next scheduled to appear in court again on June 30.
It is not currently clear if Lotz has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Lawrence Kansas Police Department told Us Weekly that several studies show most adults who commit child sex crimes have more than one victim.
Police have asked that anyone with information regarding the case contact non-emergency dispatch at 785-843-0250 or the Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County hotline at 785-843-TIPS.
Read the full article here
