Ex-teacher guilty of luring teen over Net

2/7/2002

LIMA, Ohio - A former middle school choir teacher pleaded guilty yesterday to trying to lure a 14-year-old girl over the Internet.

Aaron Seward, 25, of Lima, who taught vocal music and swing choir for West Middle School, pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and importuning. Another charge of unlawful sexual conduct was dismissed.

Seward will be sentenced March 18. Bond was continued.

Mr. Seward had sex on two occasions with a 14-year-old girl he met over the Internet and solicited a police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl for sex.

They have identified nearly a dozen young girls from across Ohio with whom they believe Mr. Seward had “inappropriate conversations” on the Internet in the last couple of years.

The father of a young girl who had chatted with Seward on the Internet contacted police in April.

Seward apparently did not try to disguise himself, because the girl knew he was a teacher. She was not one of his students.

He arranged to meet the girl at a Lima convenience store May 8, but when Seward arrived, he was met by police.

Seward requested an unpaid leave from the Lima city schools two days later. He resigned June 11 and did not give a reason.

He had been a teacher there for three years, school officials said.

It appears that Seward used his home computer, not equipment at work, to chat with the girl over the Internet, authorities said.

Police seized his home computer and other equipment.