Timothy Allan Warthen II, 23, a part-time crossing guard for Ida Public Schools, has been charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes after allegedly admitting to a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl, according to the Monroe Public Safety Department.
A detective assigned to the Violent Internet Predator and Exploitation Response Task Force responded to a vehicle parked near the MLK Jr. Pedestrian Bridge about 9:45 p.m. Aug. 30 after someone reported an older-looking man was engaging in “intimate contact” with a young girl inside it.
The detective made contact with the two at the scene. As the investigation unfolded, Warthen was taken into custody and questioned about the circumstances surrounding the contact. He admitted to having a sexual relationship with the girl, claiming the two were “dating,” the Monroe Public Safety Department said. He also told the detective that he worked as a part-time crossing guard for Ida Public Schools.
The school was immediately made aware of the investigation. Detectives followed up with the district, which confirmed Warthen’s employment was terminated upon being notified of the investigation.
Warthen was arraigned Aug. 31 and held on a $100,000 cash/surety bond.
There is no evidence at this point in the investigation indicating that he engaged in inappropriate conduct or communication with other minors, the public safety department said.
— Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Crossing guard for Ida Public Schools charged with criminal sexual conduct
Reporting by Connor Veenstra, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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