Story perspectives

Jewell School District Settles $2.35M Abuse Lawsuit

2/20/2026

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School District Settles Abuse

The Jewell School District in Clatsop County, Oregon, will pay $2.35 million to settle a federal lawsuit over allegations of inaction regarding teacher David Michael Brandon's sexual abuse of a student.
The abuse occurred from April 2017 to December 2018, involving sexual contact during school hours and in Brandon's vehicle.
Despite complaints, Brandon was allowed to resign quietly and was later convicted of multiple sexual offenses.
The lawsuit highlighted systemic failures by the district and former administrators in protecting students.

Summary

Story summary

Anna Marie Crocker, a former teacher's aide in Wisconsin, received a 51-and-a-half-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting minors.
The charges involve a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy along with two other teens whom she manipulated.
Crocker worked at Riverview Elementary School and sent explicit messages and photos to her victims.
One assault occurred during a sleepover at her home.

History

Historical Context

The Jeanne Clery Act, enacted in 1990 following the 1986 murder of student Jeanne Clery at Lehigh University, mandates U.S. colleges to disclose campus crime statistics and enhance student safety. Despite this, cases like the $2.35 million settlement involving teacher David Michael Brandon and Anna Marie Crocker's abuse at Riverview Elementary highlight ongoing failures in protecting students, prompting calls for improved accountability in educational institutions.

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School District Settles Abuse

The Jewell School District in Clatsop County, Oregon, will pay $2.35 million to settle a federal lawsuit over allegations of inaction regarding teacher David Michael Brandon's sexual abuse of a student.
The abuse occurred from April 2017 to December 2018, involving sexual contact during school hours and in Brandon's vehicle.
Despite complaints, Brandon was allowed to resign quietly and was later convicted of multiple sexual offenses.
The lawsuit highlighted systemic failures by the district and former administrators in protecting students.

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