A firestorm of controversy enveloped Hudson High School after it was revealed that 18-year-old student Jeremiah Earl Stoehr had been attending school and participating in sports despite facing serious charges, including sexual assault and kidnapping of a 9-year-old. Yes.
According to Chasing Liberty, Stoehr was indicted on February 7, 2024, on several charges including rape, kidnapping and gross sexual assault, with the alleged crimes occurring on or about December 2, 2023. Despite these allegations, it was revealed that many within the school were unaware of Stoehr's legal troubles until recently.
Concerned parents contacted The Gateway Pundit and said, “The county has now removed his records from public view. Corruption at its finest. This student was still able to attend classes and exercise. “They obviously didn’t want this to spread locally.”
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, “The case record, which included redactions to protect the 9-year-old’s privacy, was removed from the Summit County Clerk of Courts website this week after a judge granted the defense’s request to keep the documents sealed from the public. It is done. Summit County Prosecutor's Office spokesman James Pollack said: Beacon Journal began gathering information for this report before access to this document was suspended.”
Gateway Pundit was recently able to find Stoehr's mugshot through booked.com.
Chasing Liberty reported:
Stoehr's case sparked strong backlash from the public, especially students and parents associated with Hudson High School. Much of the outrage is centered on Judge Alison Breaux's lenient treatment of the defendants and the lackluster response from then-Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh's office.
The court released Storey, who has pleaded not guilty, on $25,000 bail, meaning he only has to pay $2,500 to get out of jail. He received “free-range GPS monitoring with maximum pretrial supervision” and was required to adhere to a curfew, according to court documents. Additionally, contact with the alleged victim is prohibited. The defendant was allowed to continue attending classes at Hudson High School.
But the defendant's attorney later filed a motion to modify Stoehr's bail conditions, which Judge Breaux, a Democrat elected in 2016, granted. The new conditions allowed Stoehr to attend several school events, including track meets, track and field banquets, and school proms, while wearing her ankle monitor. It has not been confirmed whether he actually attended the prom. Walsh, also a Democrat, resigned in February. Democrats appointed Elliot Kolkovich to replace her.
“When I first got the text from my mom, I felt sick,” a Hudson High School girl told FOX 8 News. “It’s sad that she continues as if nothing happened,” she said.
Those sentiments are widespread, with students and parents questioning the decision to allow Stoehr to remain active in school and his upcoming graduation ceremony.
Despite community outcry, school officials have maintained that legal restrictions and privacy policies limit the information they can release. In a statement to FOX 8, Hudson City Schools said:
“Hudson City Schools is aware that one of our high school students is involved in a police investigation involving allegations of sexual assault. While we cannot discuss the specifics of the incident, we want to make it clear that this incident did not occur on school property and is not an incident involving any other Hudson City School District students. This is a legal matter for the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and the Summit County Court System. Since this issue was first brought to the attention of the district, supportive and protective measures have been put in place to keep all students safe.
“We understand you have questions. However, the district is extremely limited in what information it can disclose under the law and student privacy policy. Please know that the well-being and safety of all of our students is our top priority.”
An online petition calling for Stoehr to be suspended until the trial is over is gaining popularity. From the petition:
As a deeply concerned member of the Hudson, Ohio community, I am writing to express my alarm and distress about the situation currently occurring at our local high schools. An 18-year-old student has been charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old child. Despite these serious charges, this individual continues to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities, such as the track and field team, while awaiting trial.
This situation not only raises moral questions but also poses a potential risk to other students. Under the guise of protecting educational rights, we are unintentionally giving alleged pedophiles access to minors. This does not deny anyone's right to education, but rather ensures the safety of all students until proven innocent or guilty.
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), in 2015, juveniles made up 23 percent of those serving time for rape in juvenile facilities across the United States. This alarming statistic highlights the need for immediate action when such serious allegations occur within a school.
We urge Hudson City School Board officials and other authorities to suspend this student pending trial. When a student is accused of such a heinous crime, it is important to prioritize the student's safety over their individual rights.