United Group Insurance

Daughtery sex abuse trial delayed in Council Bluffs

News

March 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The trial of former Council Bluffs teacher Jeffrey Daugherty won’t begin as previously scheduled on Tuesday. According to the The Daily NonPareil, a judge will hear a motion Monday to consolidate the cases based on two students’ allegations. A new trial date has not yet been set. The 29-year old Daugherty is accused of two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, five counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee and one count each of sexual exploitation of a minor and lascivious conduct with a minor.

The charges stem from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old female student while he was a math teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School. Daugherty has pleaded not guilty, according to Pottawattamie County court records. He resigned his teaching position on Feb. 3rd. Police arrested Daugherty on Jan. 8th.

An arrest affidavit notes the alleged relationship lasted about two months. The alleged victim reportedly said she was failing a class and went to Daugherty for help. Daugherty and the girl allegedly began talking, texting and communicating via social media site Twitter about explicit acts and also exchanged multiple topless photos, according to court records.

The victim told police Daugherty kissed her one evening after school, while two other instances included the teacher touching the victim’s private areas. At least one of the encounters happened after school in a classroom. Daugherty denies the charges.

In late January, a second former student came forward. The now 18-year-old female – who was 17 at the time of the alleged acts – told police that she exposed herself to Daugherty after being asked to do so. On multiple occasions, Daugherty allegedly asked the girl to perform sex acts on him, and she complied. An arrest affidavit notes the victim told police she was not forced to engage in sex acts with the teacher.

That matter is set to go to trial on May 12th.