Oregon Teacher's Assistant Accused of Teen Sex Abuse

(St. Helens, Oregon) A 39-year-old teacher's assistant at St. Helens High School, Jan Elizabeth Gleaves, was arrested this week for allegedly liquoring up and having sex with schoolboys.

Gleaves faces charges of giving liquor to a minor, third-degree sexual abuse, contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor and endangering the welfare of a minor.

According to District Attorney Stephen Atchison, formal charges may be filed this coming week, however, more investigation is necessary.

Police allege that Gleaves committed sexual crimes against boys and served them alcohol in her apartment in Rainier. Friday morning, police said they are still gathering evidence and investigating the case.

Atchinson said it is unclear how many boys were involved but those identified thus far all are in their teens.

Atchison said he has heard that the investigation began when a Rainier woman called police Wednesday, disturbed about posts she found on her son's MySpace page, but Atchison hasn't seen the evidence.

Gleaves was booked into custody at the Columbia County Jail with bail set at $36,250 (another source says $3,625).

Gleaves' 12-year-old son was taken into protective custody.


[Update 04/11/08]

This week in Columbia County Court, Jan Gleaves pleaded not guilty to four counts of third-degree sexual abuse, seven counts of contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor, four counts of unlawful delivery of marijuana to a minor, 14 counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor and one count of attempted tampering with a witness.

At 4:30 p.m. Friday, the court will consider a motion to change her conditions of release. She’s now forbidden to have contact with minors, except her son, or go places where minors congregate.

Gleaves, who was released from jail March 31, filed the motion because “she wants to go to Little League baseball games,” said deputy District Attorney John Berg.

Gleaves has a court appearance scheduled for June 18.