SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Two St. Joseph High School administrators accused of failing to report alleged sexual abuse of two female students pleaded 'not guilty' in a Santa Maria courtroom today. Principal Joe Myers and Dean John Walker are charged with failing to report the sexual abuse between September 2011- April 2012.
Both Myers and Walker say they were acting on behalf of the request of one of the victim's families, who said that the girl was not prepared to move forward with prosecution. Myers's attorney said law enforcement already knew about the allegations before school administrators did.
"These facts, this is not the right case for mandatory reporting." said Michael Scott, a defense attorney for the administrators. "If it had not been known by law enforcement...if there was some attempt to cover up this offense, then the prosecution is indeed warranted, but that's not the case here."
Both men are due back in court next week.
Yesterday, the suspect accused of the sexual abuse, Shane Villalpando appeared in court. He is charged with multiple counts -- including rape, unlawful sex with a minor, and felony administration of a drug. He will be back in court on September 13th when the judge will address his motions.
