Crime & Safety
Sex Charges Filed Against Bel Air Teacher: Police
Police said a man who taught in Bel Air has been charged with rape and other offenses in connection with a former student.
BEL AIR, MD — A teacher on administrative leave from Harford County Public Schools has been charged with multiple sex offenses. Officials say there may be additional victims.
John David Hobbs, 51, of the unit block of Fallstonview Court, was arrested Wednesday at his home in Fallston and charged with third-degree sex offense, child abuse molestation and second-degree rape, police said.
Hobbs is an English teacher at Patterson Mill High School who previously taught at Bel Air Middle School, according to Harford County Public Schools spokeswoman Jillian Lader.
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He began teaching in Harford County Public Schools in August 1998 at Bel Air Middle School, where he taught English until June 2018, Lader said. He taught at Patterson Mill High School from July 2018 until being placed on administrative leave Feb. 5, according to Lader, who said his leave status changed Thursday from paid to unpaid.
The charges against Hobbs involved a former student at Bel Air Middle School, according to police.
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Police said Hobbs sexually abused his former student, who was a juvenile at the time, on multiple occasions from 1999 to 2000. The incidents occurred at Hobbs' former home in Parkville, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.
Hobbs is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail following a bail review Thursday. A preliminary hearing in his case is slated for Aug. 7 in Baltimore County District Court.
People who think they may have been victims can call detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit at 410-307-2020.
Authorities also suggested these resources for victims of sexual assault:
- Baltimore County Department of Social Services: 410-887-TIME (8463)
- Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County: 410-828-6390
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center SAFE nurse: 443-849-3323
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (24-hour hotline): 800-656-HOPE (4673) and chat
- Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- TurnAround (24-hour hotline): 443-279-0379
This article has been updated to include additional information about where Hobbs taught.
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