Teacher, 67, turns himself in for rape of girls believing statute of limitations had expired... and now faces prison

Oops: Donald Ingerson, a long-time teacher, allegedly admitted to raping two girls some 20 years ago, thinking that the statute had expired

A long-time St. Louis-area teacher has been charged with rape and statutory sodomy after turning himself in, apparently in the mistaken belief that the statute of limitations had expired, authorities said Tuesday.

Donald Ingerson, 67, is now jailed on $300,000 cash bond after being arrested and charged Monday. He doesn't have an attorney.

Ingerson called the St Louis County Prosecutors’ office June 4 and met with prosecutors Monday, when he allegedly admitted to sexual contact with two high school girls - one in the 1970s and one in the mid-1990s.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch said Ingerson worked in five or six districts in the Missouri county from the 1960s through the 1990s.

'This is the first time we've had someone contact our office and say, `I want to talk about what I did,' McCulloch told the AP.

He said Ingerson did not admit to any additional crimes, but authorities suspect there could be other victims.

St. Louis County police and McCulloch's office have contacted the school districts where Ingerson worked and have urged any additional victims to come forward.

McCulloch said the crimes had never been reported and declined to name the district where Ingerson worked in an effort to help protect the identities of the victims. One victim was listed as 15, and the other was listed as younger than 16.



Former teacher: He once taught at Ritenour High School

Coach: He also taught at McCluer High School and was a coach there

Both have been informed of the arrest, McCulloch said.

'Even after all this time, they seemed quite relieved,' he said.

McCulloch said the statute of limitations for rape and sodomy varies because laws have changed over the years.