Details of alleged teacher-student affair emerge
Published: June 24, 2009
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JEFFREY NORRIS
Details about an alleged affair between a Montrose Area High School teacher and his ninth grade student have emerged since the June 16 arrest of Jeffrey David Norris.
A preliminary hearing date of July 16 has also been scheduled in the courtroom of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Hollister.
Norris, 28, Montrose, was arrested after a grand jury indicted him on 12 counts, including felony counts of statutory sexual assault.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred in 2007 after the 14-year-old was assigned to Norris’ class. Norris is accused of having sex with the girl at his home and at an all-night softball tournament in South Montrose.
According to court papers, Norris told the girl he knew her older sisters and that she was “beautiful,” just like her sisters. Norris had attempted to date one of the sisters while the two were in high school.
Documents also state Norris encouraged the victim to visit him during his free period during the school day. During those visits, Norris allegedly told the teen that he “really liked her.”
He also encouraged the girl to visit him at his home on Griffis St., Montrose, after school to “hang out” and advised her on how to get to his house.
In March or April 2007, the victim went to the teacher’s home. Norris told the girl that he loved her and subsequently, the two had sex, according to documents.
Norris encouraged the girl to visit him at his home again. She followed the same procedure as the first time. After the two engaged in intercourse, Norris is alleged to have smoked marijuana and ingest lines of cocaine with the teen.
After the second visit, rumors about the teacher-student relationship began to swirl in the school.
The victim was questioned about the rumors by Montrose High School Principal James Tallerico but she denied the relationship. The victim informed Norris about the meeting and he ended the relationship.
However, in June 2007 the victim saw Norris at a softball tournament where Norris apologized to the victim and the two engaged in intercourse then smoked marijuana and drake beer.
A search warrant of Norris’ residence, executed by police in February 2009, uncovered rolling papers, commonly used for smoking marijuana, a scale and three audio tapes of Norris in conversation with Montrose Area High School Superintendent Michael Ognosky on two of the recordings and Principal Tallerico and Vice Principal Russell Canevari – none of whom gave Norris permission to tape the conversations.
Norris is presently represented by Attorney Paul Ackourey.
Patrick Blessington, Senior Prosecutor, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, is prosecuting the case.
Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason Legg referred the case to the AG because Norris’ father is an attorney.
