Former Plymouth elementary school teacher pleads guilty to felony charge connected to sexual abuse allegations
Former Plymouth elementary school teacher James Eschert has pleaded guilty to a felony charge in connection with accusations he inappropriately touched some of his female students over the course of several years, according to court records.
Eschert, 52, appeared Thursday in New Britain Superior Court where he struck a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of risk of injury to a minor, according to the state Judicial Branch. In exchange for the plea, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and four additional counts of risk of injury to a minor will not be pursued, court records show.
Eschert’s attorney, William Conti, did not return a request for comment Friday seeking more details on the plea bargain.
“James Eschert resigned from his teaching position in early November 2021. Since Mr. Eschert is no longer employed by the Plymouth Public School District, we will not be commenting on his court case results,” Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Brian Falcone told the Courant Friday. “Thank you for your anticipated understanding.”
Eschert was arrested by the Plymouth Police Department in January 2022 following a lengthy investigation that was launched after a former student of his came forward in September 2021 once she was older and reported allegations of sexual abuse to the principal of Eli Terry Jr. Middle School, who contacted the state Department of Children and Families, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
Eschert had been a teacher in Plymouth since 1998, primarily teaching the third and fourth grades over the course of more than 20 years with a brief stint teaching the second grade. He most recently taught at the Plymouth Center School before his resignation amidst the investigation, which showed a history of inappropriate behavior between him and his female students, the affidavit said. Investigators spoke to more than a dozen former students, many of whom said Eschert would often invite girls to sit on his lap and ask them to stay inside with him when the other kids were out at recess, according to the affidavit.
One girl told police he would rub her shoulders and touch her breasts over her clothing each day to see if she was wearing a bra or not, the affidavit said. On one occasion, the girl alleges, he touched her breasts under her shirt, the document continued.
Former students of Eschert said he commonly hugged his female students and not the male students, according to the affidavit. He also allegedly invited them to his home in Avon, telling them they would be welcome for dinner, the affidavit said.
Police wrote in the affidavit that Eschert at one point had four girls in a class that he favored over the other students, giving them the answers on tests and quizzes and placing their desks aside his, which students said was oddly in the middle of the classroom.
One girl also told police that Eschert would move her body on top of his genitals after inviting her to sit on his lap, the affidavit said. Another complainant told investigators that Eschert commonly gave some of his female students paper to decorate under his desk while he had his genitals “in her face or another girl’s face,” according to the affidavit. The girl also alleged that Eschert at times would touch himself over his clothing, according to the affidavit.
Second lawsuit filed against Plymouth school district, former teacher accused of sexual abuse
Four current or former educators with the Plymouth school district were charged with violating the state’s mandated reporter laws following the investigation into Eschert after authorities discovered that multiple complaints over several years had been brought to the attention of school officials regarding Eschert’s behavior and had not been reported to the proper authorities. Three of those cases have been dropped.
The case against Chrystal Collins — who was the principal of Plymouth Center School from 2004 to 2019 — remains pending. She faces one count of failure to report abuse, neglect or injury of a child or imminent risk of serious harm.
Three lawsuits have also been filed against Eschert by former students alleging sexual abuse and exploitation. The Town of Plymouth and Collins have also been named as defendants in the lawsuits, two of which are pending in New Britain Superior Court with the other being filed in Waterbury Superior Court.
Motions to stay the civil proceedings until the criminal matters against Eschert and Collins have been resolved have been filed in two of the lawsuits. A stay order has not been sought in the third lawsuit, which was filed in September.
Eschert is free on a $150,000 bond while he awaits sentencing. He is due back in court on Jan. 9.