Student Says ROTC Teacher Taped Sex Acts

KNOXVILLE (CN) - A West High School ROTC teacher gave alcohol to female students, had them pose in a state of partial undress, and changed girls' grades for sexual favors, says a former student in Knox County County Court. The teacher also asked girls "to perform sexual acts" and "videotaped many of his inappropriate sexual activities on school property with school equipment."

Jane Doe sued the Knox County Board of Education, the Knox County School System, and David A. Higgins, individually and in his official capacity as ROTC teacher of West High School.

She says she was 15 when the alleged offenses occurred and Higgins was about 50.

She also claims "it is commonplace for teacher and staff and/or administrators of school, (sic) including West High School, to know or suspect inappropriate relationships between teacher and staff and/or administrator and students and to conceal/encourage those relationships."

She claims Higgins' improper acts occurred on school grounds, during school hours, "and on unauthorized overnight sleepovers on school property."

It adds, "Higgins videotaped many of his inappropriate sexual activities on school property with school equipment."

She is represented by Andrew Clarke of Memphis.

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