A former Glenelg High School teacher was found guilty of sexually abusing his student and was incarcerated at the Howard detention center Wednesday after the judge revoked his bond.
A jury found Joseph Ellis, 26, of Elkridge, guilty of sex abuse of a minor, indecent exposure and telephone misuse charges.
Ellis faces between four and nine years for the most serious charge of child sex abuse.
Howard Circuit Judge Richard Bernhardt revoked Ellis? $150,000 bond, citing the “betrayal of trust and effects this has had on the children.”
Ellis appeared emotionless while the verdict was read, but the victim, who was holding hands with her two best friends, rushed from the courtroom in tears as Ellis was handcuffed.
Ellis was arrested Jan. 8, when two girls, ages 17 and 16 at the time, told school officials Ellis sent them sexual text messages.
The 16-year-old said she met Ellis in a Columbia park during the summer of 2006 and he committed a sex offense against her. The 17-year-old victim said Ellis e-mailed her pornographic photographs, sent her sexual text messages and exposed himself to her in December 2006.
The trial centered only on the 17-year-old?s allegations, and prosecutors declined to explain why the 16-year-old?s accusations were not raised.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 21.
