Published: October 27, 2009 07:10 pm      

Millwood pleads guilty to sexual abuse charge

Staff Report

MURRAY, Ky. — A Mt. Vernon man who had a sexual relationship with a 17-year old student while student teaching in a western Kentucky school has pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse, tampering with evidence and sexual misconduct.

The Paducah Sun reports that John A. “Drew” Millwood, 24, of Mt. Vernon, pleaded guilty Monday to the charges. Prosecutors recommended a diversion agreement that would leave him without a criminal record in five years if he abides by its terms.

Millwood must serve 90 days either in jail or on home incarceration.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Mark Blankenship says Millwood was working as a student-teacher in the Calloway County school system when he had sexual relations with a 17-year-old he taught.

Millwood was arrested on March 13, and was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, tampering with physical evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence, marijuana cultivation and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to information from the Calloway County, Ky. Circuit Court.

Millwood pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old student while he was a student teacher in a position of authority over the student. Under Kentucky law, the age of legal consent is 16, but it is illegal for someone holding a position of authority to have intercourse with anyone under the age of 18. Millwood also pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence for deleting text messages from his cell phone.

Millwood was a student at Murray State University completing his teaching degree when he was arrested.