A former teacher in the Montezuma School District is facing sex abuse charges after accusations from several former students. Twenty-seven-year-old Derek Bates was arrested on June 6th and charged with four counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, three counts of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, four counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee, and one count of indecent contact with a child.
The charges against Bates stem from an investigation by the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office that began after four students told officials they had been abused by Bates while he was employed as a teacher. Bates resigned from the Montezuma School District in October of 2012.
Court documents indicate that the victims were ages 12 and 13 at the time of the alleged abuse. Bates has posted a $61,000 cash only bond. In addition, he has been ordered to surrender his passport. A preliminary hearing is set for June 17th.
By Charlie Comfort, KBOE, Oskaloosa