A former gym teacher is behind bars, accused of sexually assaulting a student in Lycoming County. Investigators fear there may be more victims out there.
Authorities said James Jamison, 34, of Trout Run forced a young boy to have sex with him numerous times over the past five years. Jamison is facing more than two-dozen charges, many of them sex charges.
The victim told investigators Jamison fondled him 15 to 20 times in first and second grade and once in the fifth grade. That was last year, when the student was 11 years old.
The former gym teacher spent a decade at Saint Boniface Elementary School and left before the current school year for a job in York, Pennsylvania.
At a news conference Friday morning authorities said there is a possibility Jamison victimized more children, but none has come forward yet. "During that time he had contact with hundreds. It is possible that there are more victims. We hope that is not the case," said Lycoming County District Attorney Eric Linhardt.
According to court papers, the assaults took place at the school on Franklin Street in Williamsport, in the library and bathroom. The boy, according to those court records, told his principal, his mother and his homeroom teacher that Jamison had assaulted him numerous times inside the elementary school.
In one instance, investigators said, Jamison threatened the student with a knife.
"We have our children to be concerned about. They're our number one priority. This morning we prayed for the student, the victim and his family and for the alleged perpetrator," said Sister Marlene Weitzel, principal of St. Boniface Elementary School. "The news is very upsetting, hard for us. (It's) a sad day for our academy."
The school, which is part of the Saint John Neumann Regional School system, notified parents of Jamison's arrest by sending a letter home with students.
"I can't understand anyone who would abuse a child, physically, sexually. I can't picture the type of person who would do that," said parent Lisa Edkin.
"Disgusting, very disgusting. I can see it but I don't understand it," said grandparent Barbara Nolte.
Investigators are asking anyone who suspect Jamison may have had inappropriate contact with with his or her child to contact them at the district attorney's office or the through the school system.
Jamison is locked up in Lycoming County on $500,000.
Authorities said James Jamison, 34, of Trout Run forced a young boy to have sex with him numerous times over the past five years. Jamison is facing more than two-dozen charges, many of them sex charges.
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The former gym teacher spent a decade at Saint Boniface Elementary School and left before the current school year for a job in York, Pennsylvania.
At a news conference Friday morning authorities said there is a possibility Jamison victimized more children, but none has come forward yet. "During that time he had contact with hundreds. It is possible that there are more victims. We hope that is not the case," said Lycoming County District Attorney Eric Linhardt.
According to court papers, the assaults took place at the school on Franklin Street in Williamsport, in the library and bathroom. The boy, according to those court records, told his principal, his mother and his homeroom teacher that Jamison had assaulted him numerous times inside the elementary school.
In one instance, investigators said, Jamison threatened the student with a knife.
"We have our children to be concerned about. They're our number one priority. This morning we prayed for the student, the victim and his family and for the alleged perpetrator," said Sister Marlene Weitzel, principal of St. Boniface Elementary School. "The news is very upsetting, hard for us. (It's) a sad day for our academy."
The school, which is part of the Saint John Neumann Regional School system, notified parents of Jamison's arrest by sending a letter home with students.
"I can't understand anyone who would abuse a child, physically, sexually. I can't picture the type of person who would do that," said parent Lisa Edkin.
"Disgusting, very disgusting. I can see it but I don't understand it," said grandparent Barbara Nolte.
Investigators are asking anyone who suspect Jamison may have had inappropriate contact with with his or her child to contact them at the district attorney's office or the through the school system.
Jamison is locked up in Lycoming County on $500,000.
