Washington County teacher allegedly groped elementary student in classroom multiple times

A Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School teacher was arrested by St. George Police officers Tuesday for reportedly sexually abusing a former student of his.

Curtis William Payne, 59, is charged with three first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. According to the probable cause statement filed in the case, the victim alleges she was sexually abused by Payne multiple times while she was a fourth-grade student at Sunset Elementary School in the late 90s.

SGPD officers were made aware of the allegations from the victim on Dec. 18.

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Payne, residing on Windmill Drive in Santa Clara, is still an employee of Washington County School District. He was teaching class up until Tuesday when SGPD detectives pulled him out to interview him.

Steve Dunham, WCSD's director of communication and public relations, said administrators have "very little information" about the incidents because they were only made aware of the allegations just prior to Payne's arrest.

According to the probable cause statement, the victim was interviewed on Dec. 21. During the interview, she disclosed three instances she could remember during which she alleges Payne groped her.

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The first allegation occurred while the student was sitting on Payne's lap behind his desk, the statement reads. The victim told detectives the teacher would grope her vagina with one of his hands, according to the probable cause, and that it initially started over her clothing but that Payne later started groping her vagina directly underneath her clothing.

She told police this type of touching occurred three to four times, according to the statement.

The victim also alleged additional touching would occur while Payne would have a movie playing for the class. He would allow students to sit on the counter or the floor, according to the student's disclosure, and Payne would sit next to her when the classroom's lights were off.

Payne reportedly groped the student's chest underneath her shirt and also directly groped her vagina multiple times during classroom movies, according to the probable cause.

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The last incident the student described to police reportedly occurred at a pool party at an undisclosed residence, during which Payne grabbed her and engaged in more groping of the victim's vagina beneath her swimsuit.

While Payne was being interviewed at the police department, he disclosed that he remembered the student from years ago but denied the allegations, according to the statement.

The three counts of child sex abuse Payne is charged with were advanced to aggravated abuse due to the position of trust he had over the victim. SGPD Officer Lona Trombley said the investigation is ongoing.

Dunham said WCSD is cooperating with SGPD "every step of the way."

"We're horrified to think that this could have happened," Dunham said. "We will help [the investigation] in any way possible. Obviously, we want to find out the facts and make sure any potential victims get peace in this matter. It's horrific to think that a victim has been tortured over this for years and years, and you don't ever want that, ever."

Payne is in custody of the Washington County Jail, and his bail is set at $75,000. Court records indicate he has no prior criminal history in Washington County.

Follow reporter Emily Havens on Twitter, @EmilyJHavens, and find her on Facebook at facebook.com/emilyjhavens. Call her at 435-674-6214.