Welcome CSSM--Thank you for joining to share your insider opinion. We'll have to wait and see as so often friends, colleagues and family are totally shocked by sex abuse allegations. One thing I've learned is that prior to an arrest, a good bit of investigative work goes into a case. A person is not arrested just on a comment. A 15 year old is a child and in the state of Oregon, incapable of consenting to sexual relations. Mr. Schacht if also in a position of authority, being a coach and teacher.
There might be some who would argue that a teen girl can "tempt" or could make false allegations. However, you'll find that here on WS, we don't really care if a 15 year old girl pranced naked in front of Schacht or "came onto him". He's an adult and a coach/teacher. She's a child. It is illegal to have any sort of sex with a child.
Concerning false allegations, that's always a possibility and one which I know that family of the accused pray about. It's really shocking, however, how seldom the disclosures actually turn out to false. We teach children to "tell". We need to listen and support them and to investigate when they do. JMO
This girl would have been thoroughly interviewed, videotaped and physically examined at the Lane County Children's Advocacy Center by specially trained detectives, therapists and a doctor. Then a grand jury meets and makes a decision as to whether there is enough evidence and whether to proceed to trial.
I would direct you to look at other cases here on WS concerning coaches, teachers, and youth ministers. A couple of names which come to mind: Marco Alferez, Steven Derlacki, and Kelly Ray Rasmussen. You can do an archive check and see what you think. These all happen to be men recently arrested for sex crimes (two in Oregon) where their communities railed against the arrest. Each man was remarkably popular with both students and parents. If you do an archive search on teacher, coach, or youth minister; you'll find hundreds of cases for comparison.
Often, those arrested are the most popular, sought after leaders. They dedicate their entire lives to the kids. I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr. Schacht is a "cool" guy. The sad fact is that those who abuse children often play the "cool" guy in order to attract victims. Pedophiles and pederasts don't go around wearing T-shirts that identify themselves. I wish they did. And remember that not every child is chosen as a victim. Some men/women are indiscriminate but many are quite discerning.
My heart goes out to you as it would be awful to have a person you cared about be accused of this heinous crime. We desperately want to believe the best about people. Our society often forgets about the suspected criminal's family and circle of friends. They are hurting too. Let's see how this shakes out. And it looks as if it is right now. Mr. Schacht was arraigned this morning:
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cm...41/schacht-coach-officials-sheldon-monday.csp
Sheldon coach arraigned on sexual abuse charges
Parents and school officials in Springfield, where the accused teaches, say they were not informed quickly
"A Sheldon High School coach who also works as a Springfield schoolteacher was arraigned Monday in Lane County Circuit Court on felony charges alleging that he had sex with a 15-year-old female student at the high school.
Chad Gerald Schacht, 40, is being held in the Lane County Jail on six counts of second-degree sexual abuse...."
and
"...Schacht is due back in court on
Dec. 6, pending the outcome of a grand jury investigation."
more at link
It doesn't look as if bail has been set. That strikes me as odd, given Schacht's standing in the community. The subject is not addressed in the article linked above. He's still being held at Lane County Jail and it looks as if several of the charges have been upgraded from third-degree to second-degree. That often happens as the investigation plays out.
And CSSM--If you haven't spent long on WS, let me introduce myself. I am a mother of 14 living in Ashland. My eight youngest children were raped and sodomized in 1997-98 by a volunteer at their school, Briscoe Elementary. The volunteer was the son of a teacher. The young man, Ryan D. Smith, was convicted on 12 sex abuse counts in February 1999 and spent 10 years incarcerated. He had literally hundreds of supporters. Now, he's a lifetime RSO. Sadly, the unimaginable does happen.