East Troy music teacher sexual assault case; Rash reaches plea deal
EAST TROY, Wis. - A former East Troy music teacher, accused of sexually assaulting nine female students over a 14-year period, pleaded guilty on Friday to two of nine charges he faced as part of a plea deal.
Court records show 46-year-old John Rash had been scheduled to go to trial next week. His plea is a major step toward resolving a case that started nearly seven years ago.
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The Backstory
For more than 20 years, Rash taught music at East Troy Middle School. For at least 14 of them, he touched female students on the breasts, thighs, shoulders and hair.
The first victims came forward nearly seven years ago in January 2018; five girls told a school counselor that Rash touched them inappropriately. The school allowed Rash to keep teaching and never told police.
Three years later, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction finally interviewed victims and notified Rash of its intent to revoke his teaching license. Rash surrendered his license and resigned in 2022.
Walworth County District Attorney Jim Sempf filed the first four criminal charges in 2023. He added four more charges that fall and a ninth charge earlier this year.
All nine victims are now adults; the youngest is 19, while the oldest is now 33.
Former middle school band teacher charged; 9th child sex assault count
A former middle school band teacher now faces a ninth charge of child sexual assault in Walworth County.
What's Next
Families of the victims said the psychological damage can never be undone, but there is solace in knowing the man who tormented them is finally facing the music.
The eleventh-hour guilty plea, secured by prosecutors, ensures victims will be spared the trauma of testifying in court next week.
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Five of Rash's victims sued the East Troy Community School District, accusing school officials of failing to protect them and of covering for Rash's inappropriate behavior.
Last week, the school district filed a response – claiming the principal, superintendent, dean of students and school counselor are all immune from civil liability – and asked for the case to be dismissed.