| Ex-teacher gets 35 years for sex assaults Admits having encounters with sisters, who were 12 and 14 Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/23/05 BY JOE ZEDALIS TOMS RIVER BUREAU TOMS RIVER — A former Manchester High School English teacher was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison after a plea agreement in the sexual assault of 12- and 14- year-old sisters in 2004. Kevin P. Humphrey, dressed in a dark suit, sobbed as he read a statement to the court acknowledging his guilt and apologizing to the victims and his own family. Before imposing the maximum sentence, Ocean County Superior Court Judge James N. Citta told Humphrey his acts "were not a little foreplay, a little kissing and fondling." "He engaged in full-blown, let's-get-it-on sex," Citta said. Humphrey must also surrender his teaching certificate and must register as a sex offender. Once released from prison, he is subject to a lifetime of supervision. "You knowingly and repeatedly had sex with a 12- and 14-year-old," Citta said. "On one day, there were four separate acts of intercourse with the 12-year-old." "You dangled the bait, set hook, reeled them in and enjoyed the catch," Citta said. Humphrey met the older sister, now 16, when she sought tutorial help in English through the Manchester School District Web site. Humphrey met the younger sister online as well. The mother of the two girls said they are both involved in ongoing psychiatric care. "At least this decision shows other kids that this behavior is wrong and maybe other kids will come forward," the mother said. "Me and my girls are doing the best that we can." Humphrey originally pleaded not guilty to the 13-count indictment, then later admitted he had intercourse with the two girls. Humphrey was arrested in March 2004 after the mother of the girls he had been tutoring complained to police when her younger daughter returned home late from a study session with him on March 1, 2004. A subsequent investigation led to charges that Humphrey had sexually assaulted both girls, who were from Brick, at his apartment in the Briar Hill at Manchester complex off Route 37. Authorities said Humphrey had called out sick on March 1 and spent the entire day with the 12-year-old, who also skipped school that day. "My older daughter called me at work and said her sister didn't get off the bus," the mother said. "I spent 90 minutes wondering if my kid was going to be found in a Dumpster." The mother said she thought her older daughter was with Humphrey once and her younger daughter, now 14, twice. His voice cracking, Humphrey said he would carry the guilt for the rest of his days. "I can only hope this will drive me to be a better man," Humphrey said. "I have shamed my family and my profession." Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michelle K. Armstrong called Humphrey "one sick sex offender. The kids trusted him and he took severe advantage of them." Humphrey must serve 85 percent of the 20 years for the aggravated sexual assault charge. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20050723/NEWS02/507230409/1070/NEWS03 |
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