Shakopee Teacher Charged With Solicitation Of A Minor
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A sixth grade choir teacher is accused of soliciting a teenager to engage in sexual behavior. It isn't the first time he's been under investigation while teaching.
Andrew Hasty, 34, is charged with three felony counts of soliciting a 15-year-old boy with sexual conduct.
Authorities say Hasty met the boy through his involvement with the Chaska Valley Family Theater Group, where Hasty was a volunteer. He resigned following the allegations.
After his arrest, Hasty was also placed on leave from his position as a choir teacher at Pearson Sixth Grade Center in Shakopee.
"We're not happy about the circumstances that led to it, but we are grateful that we had the opportunity to catch him," Carver County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jason Kamerud said.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim, from Carver County, received sexual text messages in January and February from Hasty, including: "I want you. I wish you were mine but I'm ashamed," and "What do you want to do sexually?"
Hasty also allegedly asked the boy to send him a picture of his genitals. The boy's parents found the texts and called police.
According to the superintendent of Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, Hasty was also put on leave from a teaching job with the district in 2013. The district didn't specify what the allegations were.
"We're still sorting through the information from his computers and his cellphone," Kamerud said.
In a letter sent home to parents, Shakopee School District Superintendent Rod Thompson said: "The safety of our students is our number-one priority, and we are taking this very seriously."
Hasty resigned from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in June 2013 while an investigation was going on into allegations involving him. He was never criminally charged.
He remains in custody as the Carver County Jail pending a $10,000 cash bail. His next court appearance is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on April 10, 2015.
