Sperreng Teacher Arrested For Sodomy Of Student 17 Years Ago

James B. Wilder III, a Sperreng Middle School teacher in Sappington, Missouri, was arrested on Tuesday morning. He is being held on a $50,000 cash only bond after being charged for six counts of second-degree statutory sodomy, a Class C felony. Charges stem from an alleged sexual relationship with a student that happened seventeen years ago.

According to Randy Vaughn, spokesman for St. Louis County Police Department, the investigation began when a former high school student disclosed information about the alleged relationship. The former student reported that she was a student at Lindbergh High School where she was a member of the track team. At that time, Wilder was a teacher at the high school as well as the track coach. The girl claims that the relationship started in August of 1996 and continued to her eighteenth birthday on September 21, 1997.KSDK

Statute of Limitations in Missouri allows for prosecution within thirty years from the moment the crime was committed. Wilder is facing seven years in jail. Wilder’s records show a similar investigation launched in 2008 involving another student. The charge was not pursued due to lack of credible evidence. Wilder is on paid administrative leave. Christian Post