Forest Lake Teacher Sexually Assaulted 2 Students: Police

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — A Forest Lake teacher is accused of sexually assaulting two students on several occasions at his home. James Edward Carter, 56, faces two of counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Carter teaches industrial tech ("shop") at Forest Lake Area Middle School. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said it launched an investigation after two teens came forward accusing him of assault.

One of the teens attended Century Junior High, authorities said. After getting in a fight at school, he was given the option of completing a community service requirement by helping Carter clean his classroom and do other tasks, according to a criminal complaint.

The teen then developed a friendship with Carter and considered him a "nice guy," the complaint states.

Carter began taking the teen out to restaurants, and paid him and another boy to do various projects at his house, the complain said.

Both boys were sexually assaulted at various times at Carter's house, according to the criminal complaint.

The incidents began during the spring of 2019 and continued through August, police said. The teens came forward after confiding in each other about the assaults earlier this month, according to authorities.

On Aug. 18, the boys met and talked about their experiences at Carter's home, the complaint said. "Until that day, Victim 2 had believed he was the only one," the complaint states.

"Protecting children is our greatest priority," Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said in a news release.

"The defendant wholly abused his position of authority as a teacher and trusted adult to these young boys. This abuse and breach of trust erodes the very foundation of our education system and will never be tolerated."

Orput commended the teens "for having the courage to come forward."