By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
FAIRFIELD – Vannen “Rusty” Crabtree Jr., 57 of Richland, was arrested on Feb. 5, on charges of Grooming, Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, and Aggravated Lascivious Conduct with a Minor. According to a press release by the Fairfield Police Department, on Jan. 28, they received complaints from the parents of a female Fairfield High School student that Crabtree, the Fairfield Industrial Arts teacher, had made inappropriate conduct with their daughter over social media. Crabtree previously worked at Pekin High School as a volleyball coach.
According to the criminal complaint, Grooming is committed when a defendant “knowingly performs an act in person or by conduct through a third party, uses a computer, internet service, or any other electronic storage or transmission device, or uses written communication to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or a person believed to be a child to commit any unlawful sex act or to otherwise engage in unlawful sexual conduct.” Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee is committed when a defendant “as a school employee…engages in a pattern, practice and/or scheme of sexual conduct with a student for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of the school employee or the student.” The criminal complaint alleges that Crabtree committed “lascivious conduct with (the victim) by causing the touching of the person’s genitals to any part of the body of the minor for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of either of them.”
The case remains under investigation. Specific details will remain limited to protect the identity of the alleged victim.
On Feb. 6, the Fairfield Community School District released a statement saying “On Wednesday, February 4th, law enforcement notified high school administration that one of our teachers was involved in an investigation. Upon receiving this information, we immediately placed him on administrative leave and shared relevant information with those who needed to know. As the investigation continued, law enforcement kept us informed of its progress. Late last night, we were notified that teacher had been arrested. We will share additional information as it becomes available.”
Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact Officer Braeden Nielsen at 641-472-4146. Crabtree is set to have his initial appearance in court on Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.
