Former teacher makes plea bargain

Former Clark County middle school teacher Ronald Keen has agreed to a plea bargain on charges he molested a boy in a copy room at his school.

Keen has refused, however, to admit actual responsibility by pleading guilty to a reduced count of open and gross lewdness -- a gross misdemeanor -- over the alleged incidents at William Orr Middle School.

In the deal, Keen simply will not contest the charge that carries a maximum sentence of a year in the county jail and a $2,000 fine. As part of the negotiated end to the case, Deputy District Attorney Tom Carroll will dismiss felony counts of lewdness with a minor under 14 and annoying a minor.

Keen waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday as the first step in the deal. His arraignment is set for Oct. 12 in District Judge Jeff Sobel's courtroom. Although Keen indicated he will enter a "no contest" plea to the single charge, such pleas traditionally result in judges declaring the defendants to be guilty.

The greater impact of the plea would be in a civil case over the alleged misconduct. Guilty pleas are considered to be automatic admissions of liability in civil cases and the only remaining issue generally involves how much compensation is due. But no contest pleas carry no such weight and persons who file the lawsuits have the burden of showing defendants are responsible and liable.

School police began investigating the case at the middle school at 1562 E. Katie Ave. in January after a student came forward.

Eventually two students, ages 12 and 13, were identified as victims and Keen was arrested Feb. 13 but released on his own recognizance the same day.

Keen had rejected a plea bargain in February and was set to begin his preliminary hearing Tuesday until the deal was struck for the no contest plea.

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