\nKCSi-T.V. News was informed Thursday (Feb 9, 2012) that the attorney – Steven Light – representing Richard LaQua, had died on Wednesday. It is reported that Light was found dead at an I-29 rest stop near Hillsboro on Weds.<\/p>\n
The Traill County Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of Light. Authorities got a 9-1-1 call for a medical emergency at the Elm River Rest Area at about 6:50-p.m. An autopsy will be conducted at the Medical Examiner’s office in Bismarck
\nFoul play is not suspected.<\/p>\n
The Stutsman County Clerk of Court said, stemming from his death, the dates of LaQua’s trial will likely be changed<\/p>\n
Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Feb 9, 2012) — A former Jamestown instructor at the James Valley Career and Technology Center in Jamestown is scheduled to stand trial in May this year, in Southeast District Court. The trial is set for May 9th-11th.
\n54 year old Richard LaQua of Jamestown taught classes at the Center, before resigning in on December 2, 2011. Prior to his resignation the Jamestown Public School Board, suspended LaQua with pay, stemming from alleged misconduct towards a juvenile girl that was reported in November, and he was suspended on Novmber 9th. LaQua pleaded not guilty in January this year to charges of sexual assault and luring a minor by computer, or other electronic means, Class “C” Felonies.
\nAccusations include inappropriately touching the girl and sending her sexually explicit text messages. School officials have said the girl was not a student of LaQua\u2019s.<\/p>\n
*A three-day, 12 member jury trial has been scheduled for May 9-11, 2012. Judge Thomas Merrick is scheduled to preside.<\/p>\n
—————————————
\nLaQua Arraigned SE District Court
\nMon Jan 23, 2012<\/p>\n
Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — On Monday, (January 23, 2012) Richard LaQua, of Jamestown, during an arraignment hearing in Southeast District Court in Jamestown, pleaded not guilty to two felony charges.
\nThe 54 year old, LaQua On November 8, 2011 was charged with sexual assault and luring a minor by computer or other electronic means. Both are Class C felonies and punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
\nAlleged incidents involved a minor girl, accused of touching the buttocks of a girl over the age of 15. He also accused of sending her explicit text messages. Laqua, resigned his position as a teacher at the James Valley Career and Technology Center, effective on December 2, 2011.
\nThe school district has said the girl was not a student of LaQua\u2019s.
\nThe preliminary hearing, was waived by LaQua, to determine probable cause to move to a jury trial. Judge Thomas Merrick presided over the arraignment, on Monday, and said scheduling a motion of hearings and a trial date could come yet this week.<\/p>\n
—————————————<\/p>\n
School Board Accepts LaQua’S Resignation
\nDec 5, 2011<\/p>\n
Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Dec 5, 2011) \u2013 The Jamestown Public School Board Monday evening, on a unanimous 8-0 vote accepted the resignation of former Career and Technology Construction teacher, 54 year old Richard LaQua, who indicated his resignation was effective on December 2, 2011. School Board member Gary Peterson excused himself from the discussion and the vote due to being a Jamestown Police Department, detective..
\nSchool Board President Greg Allen said the acceptance of LaQua resignation ends the the boards responsibilities,with LaQua no longer an employee of Jamestown Public Schools.<\/p>\n
The Administrative Office at Jamestown Public Schools received the letter of resignation late Friday. The letter was received too late to add it to the agenda for Monday night’s meeting.(Dec 5, 2011).<\/p>\n
Superintendent Robert Toso asked the Board to add it to the agenda for the meeting Monday evening.<\/p>\n
Toso says the letter also said LaQua asked that his salary and benefits be terminated on November 21, 2011. LaQua will keep his Teachers\u2019 Fund For Retirement, that he had paid into during his teaching career. Toso said the letter will become public record when it\u2019s introduced at the school board meeting.<\/p>\n
On November 8, 2011 LaQua was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of luring a minor by computer or other electronic means, allegedly through text messages, and phone calls. He is accused of touching the buttocks of a juvenile girl over the age of 15 as well as sending her explicit text messages on November 7th. Both are Class C felonies.
\nThe school district has said the girl was not a student of LaQua\u2019s. He was suspended from classroom instruction, with pay.<\/p>\n
At a November 18, 2011 Special Meeting, following a closed Executive Session, the school board approved a recommendation to consider discharging LaQua.<\/p>\n
The school district\u2019s attorney, Ken Dalsted, has said Laqua was entitled to a hearing before any decision to discharge him occurs.<\/p>\n
At a November 30, 2011 Special Meeting, the school board, in Executive Session, discussed a communication between LaQua\u2019s attorney, Steven Light, and the school district\u2019s attorney, Ken Dalsted. No motions were made during that Executive Session, when the Board returned to public meeting, they immediately adjourned.<\/p>\n
Toso said the school district was planning to contact an administrative law judge to begin the consideration of dismissal, with a follow up meeting by the school board that would consider the information relative to any dismissal action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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