Williamsport Area High School art teacher charged for inappropriate contact with students, jailed without bail
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A Williamsport Area High School art teacher was arrested and jailed Wednesday afternoon on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts for having inappropriate contact with five female students at the school at 2990 W. Fourth St. during the first three months of the year, it was alleged in court documents filed this week by Lycoming County Detective Loretta Badger.
Joshua Michael Larson, 47, of 2105 Northway Road, faces a wide spectrum of charges, including four counts each of institutional sexual assault and endangering the welfare of children plus nine counts of unlawful contact with a minor, all felonies.
Larson is alleged to "engage in indecent contact with the students by intentionally placing his hands and rubbing each of the victims' shoulders or arms" while at the school, Badger wrote in a criminal complaint.
With at least four of the victims, Larson "cultivated an emotional relationship with each of the victims by expressing his love to them," by inviting them to his apartment and giving them gifts, the detective alleged.
The students ranged in ages 14 to 17, Badger said.
One student told investigators that Larson "moved her seat closer to his desk, claiming it would help her concentrate and allow him to interact with her more easily," it was stated in an affidavit. Larson also gave the student a gift upon his return from vacation, telling her "not to tell other students because he did not want them to become jealous. After providing the gift, Larson walked away from her, but then turned around and stated 'In all
honesty, you're the only reason I'm still alive right now,'" Badger stated in the affidavit.
The student became so "increasingly uncomfortable with Larson's behavior that she ultimately stopped attending his class," the detective said.
Another student reported that Larson gave her and a friend "a whole bunch of snacks," telling them, "Don't worry girls, I got money," Badger said in the affidavit, adding that he told them he "could get them anything else that they wanted."
According to one student, Larson "frequently discussed his apartment, potential summer activities and the possibility of students watching movies there," Badger said.
Another student reported that Larson shared information about "his pending divorce, where he was living and (other) personal details of his life," the court document stated. He told the student, "Everything that I say to you is a compliment. It's just because I love you so much. I just love you," the affidavit stated.
Another student who became uneasy with Larson's behavior at the school told Badger that there were "multiple incidents where Larson leaned over tables and positioned himself extremely close to her, creating situations that made her feel uncomfortable."
One of the victims told Badger that Larson "encouraged her to obtain a summer job at the same public pool where he planned to work," the court document stated. He told the student, "Just think of it, we could be lifeguards together; hang out at the pool and then afterwards go to my apartment, which is right there, and maybe make lunch and then go back to work."
During her interviews with the victims, Badger noted that each student "independently described a pattern of conduct by Larson that included him giving special attention to selected female students as well as showing them repeated expressions of love or affection, giving them gifts and preferential treatment and extending invitations for contact outside of school," the affidavit stated.
These alleged incidents clearly demonstrated that Larson repeatedly violated the students' personal boundaries, Badger said.
Larson has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted corruption of minors and eight counts of harassment. Following his arraignment before District Judge Denise Dieter, he was placed in the Lycoming County Prison on no bail.