Montco teacher charged in sexual assault of girl, 8

by: Mari A. Schaefer

An eighth-grade science teacher at Pottstown Middle School has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl. Jared Leimeister, 34, of Pottstown, was charged with aggravated assault of a child, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors, and related charges.

He was released after posting $15,000 bail, according to court records. The assaults occurred between October 2012 and February 2013, when the victim was visiting Leimeister at his home, authorities said. “Our client vehemently denies the charges that were filed by North Coventry police,” Adam J. Sager, Leimeister’s attorney, said in a statement Wednesday.

According to court records, Leimeister would make the child sleep in his bed when she was visiting. He would make her sleep in a cardboard box when he was mad at her. The victim told authorities that Leimeister would inappropriately touch and rub her, and that he sexually assaulted her on at least two occasions.

John Armato, director of community relations at the Pottstown School District, said the school found out about the charges Tuesday and determined they involved a teacher. Officials are investigating and will review Leimeister’s employment status, he said. Leimeister has worked in the district since 2008.

In January 2011, he was deployed for a year for active military service. Leimeister is not involved in any summer programs, Armato said. Leimeister is in the National Guard Reserve and served in Afghanistan, said Sager.

This article was written by Mari A. Schaefer and originally published on philly