Former Anne Arundel County teacher accused of raping and sexually abusing students
BALTIMORE -- A former Anne Arundel County teacher has been accused of raping and sexually assaulting two students, police said.
Karl Houston Walls, 27, was arrested and charged with second-degree rape, cause to ingest bodily fluids, perverted practice, sexual solicitation of a minor, sex abuse of a minor, fourth-degree sex offense of a person of authority (4 counts), second-degree assault (three counts), dangerous weapon with intent to injure, fourth-degree sex offense by person of authority and second-degree assault.
Police said Walls taught at Northeast High School in Pasadena. The school district said Walls at Northeast High School as a special education teaching assistant in 2019. He spent three years as a teacher's assistant before becoming a teacher for the past school year.
District spokesperson Bob Mosier said Walls was a special education co-teacher who taught science.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools said Walls was transferred in May to a position away from the school where he had no contact with students pending the outcome of the investigation.
"Anyone who would prey on children has no place anywhere near a school, much less in a classroom," Mosier said. "We took action with regard to Mr. Walls as soon as possible to ensure that he was reassigned to a position in which he had no contact with students while this investigation was conducted, and we will make decisions on his future employment at the appropriate time as the case proceeds."
According to police, in May, two students alleged that Walls had been sending sexually explicit text messages and photographs/videos to them.
They went on to report that Walls solicited child pornography from both victims and allegedly had sexual contact with them. Police said some of the acts and comments reportedly happened on school property.
Police said the victims allege that at one of the off-property incidents, Walls held a knife against one of the students and asked if he should use it.
"They were students of his," said Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson Marc Limansky. "They met through that relationship and he abused that relationship and took advantage."
Charges were filed in both cases on July 5.
"We have been working with police since the day of the initial allegation and, to the best of our ability, have also been supporting the students in involved this case," Northeast High principal Jason Williams wrote in a letter to families and staff. "Though school is out for the summer, we have resources available to support any students who have been impacted by this matter or who have a need to discuss their feelings. Should your student need these resources, please call the school and we can make those arrangements for you."
Letter Northeast HS 7623 by Adam Thompson on Scribd
Police said it is possible that there are additional victims who have not come forward.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the TipLine at 410-222-4700 or the Child Abuse Unit at 410-222-0306.