Former VFMA Staffer Surrenders On Underage Sex and Booze Charges
By Tim Jimenez
WAYNE, Pa. (CBS) -- A former guidance counselor at Valley Forge Military Academy, facing charges she had sexual contact with an underage cadet and gave others alcohol, turned herself in to police today but denies the most serious charge.
Thirty-year-old Symantha Hicks of Horsham, Pa., was fired by the boarding school last month after three 17-year-old cadets alleged she gave them alcohol (see previous story).
Radnor Township police followed up with an investigation and say a 16-year-old cadet told police that Hicks initiated sexual contact with him in her office.
"Ms. Hicks denies any physical, sexual contact with any individual at the school," says her attorney, Richard Hark.
And Hark alleges that the cadet made the allegations to save himself.
As for the charges she gave alcohol to minors?
"Ms. Hicks acknowledges that alcohol became available to the four students that were in her custody when they drove in her vehicle to an off-campus sporting event."
Hicks is back in court next month. She faces charges of unlawful contact and corruption of minors, and providing them with alcohol.
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