Prosecutors: St. Helens teacher accused of sex abuse has more allegations going back decades, including at prior district
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The prosecutors accusing a St. Helens teacher of multiple sex abuse charges alleged he has a longer history of abuse that stretches back decades, including alleged complaints at a previous school district.
On Friday, St. Helens High School choir teacher Eric Stearns appeared in court for what was supposed to be a standard release hearing. However, his lawyer did not show up to court and he will remain in jail until at least the rescheduled hearing on Monday afternoon.
Stearns, 46, was previously arrested on sex abuse charges along with retired St. Helens High School teacher Mark Collins in mid-November — shortly before Principal Kathryn Wagner was arrested and accused of failing to report abuse.
Two months ago, Stearns posted bail following the initial allegations that he had sexually abused six students. On Saturday, he was arrested again with additional charges, bringing the total number of charges to 18 and the total number of alleged victims to 12.
Stearns pleaded not guilty to the new charges in court on Monday.
Stearns' lawyer, Jennifer Myrick, didn't show up to court on Friday, telling the court she was ill. In the 48 hours leading up to the hearing, Myrick filed two motions to remove Judge Nickolas Brajcich. The motions — which were both denied — accused Judge Brajcich of fraudulently editing signatures and time stamps on court documents and raised concerns about his ability to be impartial.
Ahead of the scheduled court appearance Friday, Myrick filed a motion to delay the hearing.
Earlier this week, Columbia County Deputy District Attorney Erin L. Brady filed a preventative detention motion, citing in part allegations against Stearns going back decades and additional victims.
"Additionally, two victims dating back to 2001 contacted law enforcement and provided statements detailing the defendant's provision of alcohol and subsequent forced sexual contact of these obviously impaired young teens, while the defendant was in his twenties. While these incidents have yet to be presented to Grand Jury, they carry the potential for additional Ballot Measure 11 charges," the document said.
Prosecutors went on to say that while he was employed at another school district, prior to St. Helens, he faced "complaints of the defendant's sexualized conduct that led to his signing of a resignation agreement in the face of looming termination."
The court document didn't state what the previous school district was. However, KOIN 6 News confirmed Stearns was previously employed at the Tigard-Tualatin School District in the mid-2010s. While the Tigard-Tualatin School District confirmed Stearns' employment, they could not provide "details related to personnel."
"Eric Stearns worked as a part-time temporary choir teacher in the Tigard-Tualatin School District during the 2014-15 school year, and was rehired as a part-time probationary choir teacher for the 2015-16 school year. He was at Fowler Middle School," A Tigard-Tualatin School District spokesperson said via email. "We are not aware of any allegations relating to Stearns' interactions with our students during his employment here."
In addition, prosecutors alleged Stearns sexually assaulted two separate adult victims in 2021 and 2022.
"One report involved a victim whom the defendant took advantage of while she was in and out of consciousness in her bed, having been placed there by witnesses who described the victim suddenly becoming extremely and uncharacteristically incapacitated after the defendant had provided her with a beverage," the court document said. "Another victim described how she had felt trapped inside of the defendant's residence and scared for her life."
The DA's office said they expect "more victims" to come forward.