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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Eric Stearns, the former choir teacher at St. Helens High School, will be in court Monday for the start of his trial on sexual abuse charges.
Stearns was arrested in November 2024 along with former teacher Mark Collins on allegations that the two men had abused their students.
Stearns was denied bail in February, when he was indicted on 11 new charges — the same day he pleaded not guilty to the new charges as well as the 18 charges previously filed against him. He now faces 29 total charges, according to court records.
Previous KOIN coverage: Sex abuse charges at St. Helens High School
A 100-page report released August 29 found the St. Helens School District’s HR director failed to put Stearns on leave even after police alerted them to the charges in October 2024.
The investigation also found a total of eight instances between 2016 and 2024 where school administrators had the opportunity to intervene and potentially stop the alleged sexual conduct and suspected abuse attributed to Stearns, but failed to do so.
In May, the charges against Collins were modified. He now faces three third-degree sexual abuse charges, which are misdemeanor crimes.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow these stories.
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Tim Steele
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