Breaking: AJC poll: Republican support for Trump remains strong in Georgia
Education
Education

Gwinnett teacher accused of sex abuse denies charges

By
April 28, 2016

A former Gwinnett County teacher has “no idea” why he’s been charged with sexual abuse and child molestation of two girls when they were students at the acclaimed Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, his attorney said Thursday.

“I have no idea why they are bringing the charges the way they are,” Kevin J. Pratt, the attorney for Michael Appelbaum, said after his client waived a court appearance Thursday morning to discuss the charges against him.

“He’s a schoolteacher,” Pratt added. “He doesn’t understand why this is happening to him.”

Appelbaum, 40, was arrested last week on allegations he had sexual relations with a student during the 2011-12 school year and touched the buttocks of another student at the school in 2013. Authorities began a criminal investigation into the Roswell man earlier this month after one of the girls came forward with her allegations.

Pratt said his client denies the charges and will file paperwork in Gwinnett Superior Court to get Appelbaum out on bail. Appelbaum is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the FAMU Marching 100 head drum major, stands at attention ahead of the halftime performance at homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18. 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. At many historically Black colleges and universities, the marching band is as popular on campus as the football team. (Tia Mitchell/AJC)

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

As head drum major, Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede is something of a celebrity on FAMU’s campus. For the first time in its history, a woman leads the 340-member Marching 100.

Georgia students flock to Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk killing

Since Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing on a Utah college campus, Turning Point USA has seen a sharp rise in interest across the Peach State, according to chapter leaders.

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Devon Horton has resigned from his role as DeKalb County superintendent, He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his previous job in Illinois.

The Latest

Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the FAMU Marching 100 head drum major, stands at attention ahead of the halftime performance at homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18. 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. At many historically Black colleges and universities, the marching band is as popular on campus as the football team. (Tia Mitchell/AJC)

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

Georgia students flock to Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk killing

DeKalb schools superintendent pleads not guilty to federal charges

Featured

The renovation of Jekyll Island's Great Dunes golf course includes nine holes designed by Walter Travis in the 1920s for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. Several holes that were part of the original layout where located along the beach and were bulldozed in the 1950s.(Photo by Austin Kaseman)

Credit: Photo by Austin Kaseman

Gilded Age tycoons built Jekyll’s doomed golf course. It’s been resurrected.

Jekyll Island's historic golf course, Great Dunes, was designed by Walter Travis in the Gilded Age. It reopens Nov. 1 on Georgia's coast after a painstaking restoration.

Embattled Fulton judge sued over woman’s ‘illegal’ jailing

While facing possible removal from the bench, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela Williams has been sued by a young woman she jailed during a divorce hearing.

KEN SUGIURA

A miserable loss leaves even less reason to believe in Falcons, Morris

Falcons coach Raheem Morris was accountable for the team's failures after a 34-10 loss to Miami, but that isn't enough if this team wants to make the postseason.