Politics
Politics

Former Cobb teacher pleads guilty to sexually assaulting student

Spencer Herron, formerly a teacher at Kell High School in Cobb, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a student (Cobb County Detention Center)
Spencer Herron, formerly a teacher at Kell High School in Cobb, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a student (Cobb County Detention Center)
By Meris Lutz
Jan 24, 2019

A former teacher at Kell High School in Cobb County pleaded guilty last week to five counts of sexual assault against a student.

Spencer Herron, 49, was sentenced to five years in prison and 15 years probation.  All of the counts involved the same victim.

He still faces charges stemming from the same case in Cherokee County.

Herron previously taught video at Kell and was named a ‘teacher of the year’ for the 2016-2017 school year.

According to court papers, the assaults began over the summer break in 2016, when Herron met with a female student several times "under the pretense of meeting for a non-existent school club."

The abuse continued to 2017. Herron was arrested in June.

The Cobb County School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The district has come under fire from concerned parents over its refusal to address allegations of sex abuse.

About the Author

Meris Lutz is a contributing writer covering climate, the environment and the economy. She is particularly interested in stories that explore the intersections between climate change and labor, markets, health, biodiversity, government transparency and public access to natural resources.

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