A Jordan High School teacher who resigned this week has been charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old male student.
Salt Lake County prosecutors believe Jason Steadman fondled a Jordan High student, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charges Friday in 3rd District Court.The alleged abuse took place in the boy's bedroom early in the morning on Nov. 10, 1997, the probable cause statement says. Steadman was at the boy's Sandy home visiting his family. According to court documents, he got there the night of Nov. 9 and stayed until early the next morning.
"He (Steadman) knew the family and it wasn't unusual for him to be at their house," said Sandy Police Sgt. Kevin Thacker. "I don't know if he was a close friend to the family, but he was acquainted with them."
Jordan School District officials put Steadman on administrative leave when they learned of the accusations Dec. 3, 1997, said Melinda Rock, the district's public information director. An attorney representing the boy's family notified school authorities, who called police.
The district called off an independent investigation on Thursday when Steadman resigned his teaching post, said attorney Brinton Burbidge, who represents the Jordan School District.
"He didn't give us a reason," Burbidge said. "He gave us a letter saying that he was resigning."
Steadman, 25, taught Spanish and physical education. He was hired by the district at the beginning of this school year, Rock said. She didn't know if Steadman had taught anywhere else before coming to Jordan High. Rock also isn't sure if the alleged victim was a student in one of Steadman's classes.