Utah high school teacher accused of sexual abuse

Duchesne County School District suspended one of its high school teachers after prosecutors accused him of sexual abuse.

Shawn V. Mitchell, 41, was charged with forcible sexual abuse on Wednesday in 8th District Court. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Mitchell teaches art and coaches baseball at Union High School in Roosevelt, and has been employed at the school district since 2001, said Bruce Guymon, director of student services for the district. Mitchell has been suspended in light of the allegations, though administrators have not decided yet whether his suspension will include pay, Guymon said.

Guymon could not comment on whether Mitchell's alleged victim was a student or if the abuse occurred on campus.

Documents filed in court reveal little about the charge, except that the victim, now 25 years old, was 16 when the alleged abuse occurred in October 2004.

Mitchell has not been arrested; the court instead sent him a summons to appear on April 25 before Judge Lyle R. Anderson.

Mitchell has no prior criminal history, according to a search of Utah court records.

The Roosevelt Police Department could not be immediately reached for comment.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

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