Garland teacher arrested on student sexual abuse allegations

Photo supplied, Box Elder School District

Garland Elementary School is pictured in an undated photo.

GARLAND — Police on Monday arrested a Garland Elementary School teacher in the alleged sexual abuse of two female students.

Box Elder School District officials said in a message to parents that they received a report of alleged misconduct by Patrick Alan Green, a third grade teacher, on Sept. 9. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services and the Tremonton-Garland Police Department began an investigation, leading to Green’s arrest on suspicion of four counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

Green was put on leave pending the investigation and he was fired when the alleged misconduct was substantiated, the district statement said.

A student in Green’s class said during a forensic interview that on multiple occasions Green allegedly stood behind her and put her hand on his bare genitalia, according to a police probable cause statement.

Police said they identified a second female student who alleged that he sexually abused her last school year. Green allegedly pushed his hand under her clothing and touched her genitals, the arrest affidavit said. The girl also said that once she was at the Brigham City Pool and Green approached her in the pool. She said he allegedly put his hand down the back of her swimsuit and touched her buttocks.

Green, 59, was booked into the Box Elder County Jail in Brigham City. Formal charges had not been filed by midday Tuesday.

Green’s teaching license was first issued on Dec. 30, 1994, Mark Peterson, Utah State Office of Education spokesperson, said Tuesday. Benjamin Rasmussen, USBE’s director of law and professional practices, said the agency will begin an investigation into Green’s license. The license will be flagged in case he tries to become a teacher in another state, Rasmussen said.

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