6 'Bad' Teachers Caught on Police Bodycam
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Steven Phillips, a middle school teacher, was convicted of attempted human trafficking after an undercover operation revealed his intent to meet a 12-year-old for sex.
- ❖Second-grade teacher Becky Miranda was arrested for DUI after erratic driving and refusing a breathalyzer, eventually pleading guilty to reckless driving.
- ❖Substitute teacher Christopher Ryz arrived to teach elementary gym class with a BAC of .36, leading to his arrest for OWI and felony bail jumping due to prior offenses and a court order not to drink.
- ❖Special education teacher Christina Formela faces over 50 charges, including sexual assault, for an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old student.
- ❖English teacher Elena Barton was sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexual abuse and other charges involving a 17-year-old student, though acquitted of soliciting murder.
- ❖Elementary school principal Elizabeth Hill Broadigan and teacher Carly Anderson were charged after hosting a large party at the principal's home where 200 high school students were drinking.
Insights
1Steven Phillips: Attempted Human Trafficking of a Minor
Steven Phillips, a middle school teacher and coach, was caught in an undercover sting operation ('Operation Overwatch') after posting on a fetish website ('Fetlife') seeking a 'baby girl to spoil.' He communicated with an undercover officer posing as a father offering his 12-year-old daughter for sex, expressing interest and bringing a sex toy to the meetup. Phillips was convicted of attempted human trafficking of a victim under 16 and sentenced to probation.
Bodycam footage shows Phillips' arrest and subsequent interrogation where he claims 'curiosity' and denies intent, despite explicit text messages. Court records confirm his conviction and sentencing.
2Becky Miranda: DUI and Resistance
Becky Miranda, a second-grade teacher, was pulled over for a lane violation and nearly running a red light. She appeared combative and confused, initially denying drinking but later admitting to 'one' martini. She refused a breath sample and was arrested for DUI. Miranda pleaded guilty to reckless driving and received conditional discharge, community service, DUI school, and fines.
Bodycam footage captures her erratic behavior, refusal to cooperate with field sobriety tests, and argumentative exchanges with officers during the roadside stop and at the police station.
3Christopher Ryz: Teaching While Highly Intoxicated with Prior Warrants
Christopher Ryz, a substitute elementary school teacher, showed up to teach gym class with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .36, more than four times the legal driving limit. Security footage showed him stumbling. During questioning, he admitted to heavy drinking the night before and had an active warrant for a previous OWI, violating his bail conditions not to drink. He was charged with his fourth OWI and felony bail jumping.
Security video of him stumbling, bodycam footage of his interview where he admits drinking and expresses confusion about his warrant, and the breath test result of .36 BAC.
4Christina Formela: Alleged Sexual Assault of a Student
Christina Formela, a special education teacher, was arrested after a 15-year-old student's mother found alleged text messages between Formela and her son, including 'I love you so much, baby' and 'I love having sex with you.' Authorities allege Formela sexually assaulted the boy during tutoring sessions. Her case expanded dramatically, with an indictment on 52 additional charges, including 50 alleged sex acts. She has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.
Alleged text messages, notes on her phone, and bodycam footage of her arrest where she appears confused, then hyperventilating and crying after the allegations are explained.
5Elena Barton: Sexual Abuse of a Student and Solicitation of Murder
Elena Barton, an English teacher at a juvenile detention center, was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student and soliciting him to kill her husband to avoid losing marital assets and custody of her daughter. Letters found in the student's possession detailed their relationship and hinted at the murder plot. Barton was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse, unlawful transaction with a minor, and distribution of obscene material, receiving a 14-year prison sentence, though acquitted of the murder solicitation charge.
Over 190 letters from Barton to the student, including one admitting crimes and another discussing her failing marriage and hinting at her husband's death. Security footage showed her spending long periods in the student's cell. Bodycam footage shows her calm demeanor during arrest.
6Elizabeth Hill Broadigan & Carly Anderson: Hosting Underage Drinking Party
Elizabeth Hill Broadigan, an elementary school principal, and Carly Anderson, a third-grade teacher, hosted a large party at Broadigan's home where approximately 200 high school students were drinking. Police responded to multiple calls about the out-of-control gathering. Students reported that Broadigan helped set up the party and was aware of the alcohol. Broadigan pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts and received two years of probation. Anderson was found guilty of misdemeanor disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence, receiving one year of probation.
911 calls, bodycam footage showing the chaotic scene, a drunk teenager vomiting, and Anderson's combative interaction with officers. Student testimonies detailed the principal's involvement and the frequency of such parties.
Lessons
- Implement rigorous background checks and ongoing monitoring for all school personnel, especially those in positions of trust with children.
- Educate school staff on the severe legal and professional consequences of engaging in inappropriate relationships with students or facilitating underage drinking.
- Encourage clear reporting mechanisms and foster a culture where staff feel empowered to report suspicious behavior without fear of reprisal.
- Increase awareness among parents and communities about the potential for misconduct by trusted figures and the importance of vigilance regarding their children's interactions.
- Advocate for consistent and firm legal responses to crimes committed by educators to uphold public trust and deter future offenses.
Quotes
"Gentlemen, you're looking at a man who just lost his life."
"I'm not justifying anything that I did at all, but my intention wasn't to come over here and have sex with with with with a girl, a young girl. It was to see the situation, right?"
"You're here with your boss having a party with 200 kids who are drinking. Get out of my face now."
Q&A
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