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A Monett special education teacher initially questioned by police in February 2021 after a late-night visit to a Nixa home where a teenage boy was staying has been charged with felony sexual assault and statutory sodomy.
Timothy Lemnel Steeley, 62, of Mount Vernon, was arrested Sept. 16 after an interview with an investigator with the Christian County Sheriff's Office.
He was charged with first-degree sexual assault and second-degree statutory sodomy in connection with the February 2021 incident.
A warrant was issued Saturday and bond was set at $100,000, according to online court records.
Steeley, employed by the Monett district since August 2019, was working at the Monett Early Childhood Center. He has been placed on administrative leave.
The Christian County Sheriff's Office received a call Feb. 6, 2021 reporting a suspicious vehicle sitting in a neighbor's driveway in Nixa. The call came in shortly before 2 a.m.
Deputies arrived and spoke with Steeley, who told them he was in the neighborhood to deliver books to a young man who ordered them online. His identity was confirmed and without any warrants, he was allowed to leave.
More:Former Nixa police officer charged with multiple counts of statutory rape
Hours later, deputies returned to the Nixa home and spoke with the homeowners, who said their 15-year-old grandson was staying there.
The teenage boy told police the man messaged him on a social media app claiming to be in the military and wanting to meet.
In that interview, and a forensic interview conducted in March 2022 in Colorado, the boy admitted he gave Steeley the address where he was staying.
The boy said he met the man in the driveway in the middle of the night, where a sexual act occurred and Steeley allegedly fondled him through his clothing. In an interview with police, the teen said he was "apprehensive and frightened but felt it had gone too far to stop."
Police said the boy identified Steeley from a driver's license photo.
On Friday, police went to the Monett district to interview Steeley. He was asked about the traffic stop in February 2021.
Steeley told police he put college books on Craigslist to sell and someone replied to his ad and requested to purchase them. He said the potential purchaser said he "could only deliver the books in the middle of the night, after midnight."
In the interview with police, Steeley said he went to the address provided and "some kid" got into his truck for a few minutes and then decided not to buy the books.
The deputy told Steeley he did not believe that explanation and arrested him. Steeley asked to talk to an attorney.
In court documents, the deputy wrote Steeley "remained calm and composed the entire time during our interaction and (went to) sleep in the vehicle the entire trip from Monett schools to the Christian County Detention Center."
According to an online court record, bail was set at $100,000.
Steeley faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the sexual assault charge and up to seven years if convicted of the statutory sodomy charge. He would also have to register as a sex offender for life.
The Monett district issued a statement, which read in part: "The Monett R-1 School District conducted a background check on this individual as it does with all employees. The Monett School District does not have knowledge of any issues or concerns prior to the arrest. The District takes these matters seriously and has cooperated fully with the Christian County law enforcement during their investigation. We place the well-being and safety of our children as our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe and successful learning environment in the Monett R-1 School District."
Claudette Riley is the education reporter for the News-Leader. Email news tips to criley@news-leader.com.
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