Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Amanda Butterfield ReportingIn 2004 Logan's Wilson Elementary named Alan Willey "Teacher of the Year". Ten years earlier, according to charges filed today, Willey sexually abused a male student nearly every day. The allegations have stunned parents.
Jana Anderson, Parent: "All I know is that we're possibly losing the best teacher in the Logan School District there is."
Alan Willey is a highly respected educator in Logan. That makes his trip to the Cache County Jail all the more puzzling.
Willey has been a teacher for about 30 years. He's spent about half that time at Wilson Elementary School. Parents, even a current student we talked to, can't believe this; they adore Mr. Willey.
Don't tell Corbin Anderson that his fourth grade teacher, Alan Roy Willey, is accused of touching a student inappropriately.
Corbin Anderson: "I don't think he'd ever do that."
Neither does his dad.
"Everybody likes Mr. Willey."
Or his mom.
"I've never had any instances where I've ever questioned with my child that he'd even be remotely close to doing something like this."
But that's what Captain Eric Collins of the Logan Police Department says happened, 12 years ago, at Wilson Elementary. The victim, now in his twenties, just came forward.
Capt. Eric Collins: "He said he was touched on numerous occasions, inappropriately in the genital area, during class period."
Police won't say who the victim is, but after interviewing witnesses who confirmed the behavior, they believe him. They say it's not uncommon for a child to keep such a horrible secret for such a long time.
Capt. Collins: "Children sometimes feel guilty or embarrassed and don't report things when they're that age. It takes some time for them to mature and come to grips with what happened to them."
Meanwhile, Willey's lawyer made a statement to KSL, that his client has cooperated with police during the investigation and will present a vigorous defense against the charges. As will Jana Anderson.
Jana Anderson: "I stand by Mr. Willey."
Corbin Anderson: "I just don't think he'd ever do that."
Police are concerned there could be more victims. They hope this media coverage will give them the courage to step forward, if there are any.
Willey expected to be in court again the next few days for arraignment.
Utah teachers and allegations of sexual misconduct have frequently made headlines this year. Yesterday we reported Arielle Beck of Moab tried to appeal a guilty verdict she had a sexual- relationship with a 14-year old girl on her team. That girl committed suicide.
St. George police charged a pastor, Gabriel Carlin, this month with sexual abuse of a minor -- a student, they say, Carlin knew from a private Christian school.
In January former Brighton High School teacher, Scott Revill pleaded guilty to soliciting a girl over the internet.
And, Tooele Police arrested a substitute high school teacher. They say Cameo Patch had a sexual relationship with a student.
