Statute of Limitation Lapsed on Prep School Sex Allegation: Cops

EXETER, NH - Exeter’s police chief has reported to media outlets that the department was unable to file charges against a recently dismissed teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy because that statute of limitation had passed.

Police Chief William Shupe reported that the Exeter Police Department concluded one of its investigations involving allegations of sexual misconduct by a faculty member at Phillips Exeter Academy as part of a series of investigations the department is eyeing after sexual misconduct allegations against the prestigious prep school were revealed earlier this month.

“The Exeter Police Department interviewed this individual recently,” Shupe said in a statement. “The investigation has determined that an alleged incident occurred more than three decades ago. The statute of limitations on any potential criminal charges had lapsed. No criminal charges can be filed.”

Shupe stated that this investigation was the only one involving an active employee of the school. He added that it was his understanding that the employee was no longer working for the school. Shupe did not identify the name of the teacher but press reports revealed that photographer and art teacher Steve Lewis was investigated and fired this week.

Additional investigations into the allegations forwarded by Phillips Exeter Academy remain ongoing, he noted, and added that the school was “cooperating fully with police in these investigations.”