Criminal justice teacher’s sex abuse charge to be handed to grand jury
Houston County District Attorney Doug Valeska announced he would not prosecute a criminal justice professor charged with sex abuse — at least for now.
Ronald Bae, a professor at Troy Dothan, was scheduled for court Friday, during which his lawyers had asked for a preliminary hearing. Valeska said the case has been dropped, but he still planned to present all the allegations to the grand jury during the week of Dec. 14. He said the decision prevents the victims of a sex crime from having to testify repeatedly in open court.
“I talked with the family and they were in agreement with me on how to handle the case,” Valeska said. “The grand jury will make a decision.”
Dothan police investigators arrested Bae on Nov. 4 and charged him with felony first-degree sex abuse. Bae, 62, of Cottonwood, was charged with having inappropriate sexual contact with a 21-year-old female. University officials confirmed the victim was a student at the university. Bae was placed on paid administrative leave after his arrest. He has worked at Troy for more than 20 years and is a professor of criminal justice.
Police said the alleged crime happened at Bae’s business, Bae Polygraph & Hypnosis Center, located on North Oates Street near downtown Dothan.
Court records show the offense allegedly happened on Oct. 29.
Bae was released after he posted a $15,000 bond. If convicted of the class C felony charge, first-degree sex abuse, he faces one to 10 years in prison.
Attorneys Billy Joe Sheffield II and John White have been retained to represent Bae.
Court records show Bae was also charged with misdemeanor harassment in 2006, during which a woman alleged he inappropriately touched her. White represented him on that charge. Records show he was found not guilty.
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Reader Reactions
Does anyone know whether the grand jury ruled on this case? According to the article, the grand jury was suppose to meet and decide sometime during the week of Dec 14th. We are approaching Jan 1, 2010 and the Eagle has failed to provide any updates. Interestingly, this seems to be common practice…a news story surfaces, then turns cold…only to vanish and never to be revisited. Is this common practice with the Eagle or did I miss something?
I have to agree with HurriedFindings. As a former student of Dr.Bae’s and having been alone with him in both is office on campus and off, I have never felt even remotely concerned for any reason for having been alone with him. I don’t know the girl involved, but I strongly suspect that there is way more going on here than some ‘sexual harassment’. Personally, I don’t think that Dr. Bae is in any way guilty. He’s too smart for that and has too much integrity. Show me the proof.
I wasn’t there, but, based on MY experiences having been in both Dr. Bae’s polygraph office and in his classroom, it will have to be proven to me beyond a reasonable doubt that he is indeed guilty of sexual abuse. I do not know this young lady, this is a serious matter so I will stay away from any comment on her. But, I have respect for Dr. Bae, he was a no nonsense professor and I learned so much under his directive.
Even though this alleged act took place at the office of Ronald Bae, there appears to be a history…Only the parties involved know the details behind why Mr. Valeska doesn’t prosecute (aside from the charges being dropped) but it seems to me the university should reconsider his role as a professor. I hope the grand jury will do its part and weigh the evidence as it is introduced. This type of behavior, if determined he (R. Bae) is guilty, should NOT go unpunished. Furthermore, I am surprised more details haven’t been shared as to why the alleged victim pressed charges to begin with…now; it appears to be going away. Even with limited information provided to the public, the circumstances surrounding this case seems very suspicious.
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