Teacher from Mayfair pleads
guilty to having sex with students

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

A Northeast resident and suburban schoolteacher scheduled to go to trial last week for having sex with two teen students faces at least 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in the case.
Jeffrey Anderson, 24, of the 3200 block of Guilford St., in Mayfair, pleaded guilty on July 31 to 12 charges, including two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse against a person less than 16 years old — a first-degree felony.
The plea was not part of a pre-arranged sentence agreement, according to Michelle A. Henry, chief of the major crimes unit in the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Anderson faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years in the case and the potential for hundreds of years, in theory, although a term that long is not expected.
A sentencing hearing has been set for Sept. 28 in the Bucks County Courthouse. But Anderson is undergoing a Megan’s Law evaluation, which could delay the sentence, Henry said.
According to an affidavit of probable cause prepared by the DA, Anderson took advantage of two ninth-grade girls, aged 14 and 15, that attended the school where he taught, Tohickon Middle School in Plumstead Township, outside of Doylestown.
Anderson assaulted the girls sexually multiple times in April and early May, the document alleged. He kissed and fondled both girls inside school and at one of their homes. He also engaged in oral sex with the younger girl.
Anderson solicited the girls for sex using cell phones and the Internet, including an online instant messaging service and the girls’ personal Web pages.
The victims’ parents discovered the communications and, when they confronted their daughters, found out about the sexual contact with their teacher. The parents notified authorities on May 7.
When investigators interviewed Anderson that day, he admitted to the crimes, the affidavit stated. Anderson was fired from his teaching job.
Anderson’s first known inappropriate contact with the girls occurred on April 20, when he kissed both on the mouth in a classroom.
Two days later, he posted a Web page message to one of them stating, "please, please PLEASE … nothing that is said or done between the three of us can EVER be repeated to anyone else!!! Not your best friend, your diary, or any of those girls at school!! I could get fired, never become a teacher again, or go to jail … don’t tell anyone."
Anderson sent the girls graphic sexual messages on ensuing days and on April 28 met them at one of their homes, when the girl’s parents were away.
On May 2 or 3, the teacher again kissed one of the girls on the mouth in the chorus room at school.
Anderson also pleaded guilty to two counts each of aggravated indecent assault, criminal communications, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor and indecent assault.
The Megan’s Law assessment is designed to determine if Anderson is a sexually violent predator or merely a sexual offender. Sexually violent predators must report their address and place of employment to authorities for life. Sexual offenders have lesser reporting requirements.
To access a list of Pennsylvania’s sexually violent predators and sexual offenders, visit www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com