Agent: Teacher said he had sex with student
NASHVILLE — A federal judge on Friday ordered schoolteacher Tad Cummins, who is accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old student, held until trial, saying he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.
That decision came after an FBI agent testified Cummins told authorities he had sex with Elizabeth Thomas most nights during the 38 days he was on the run with her.
The 50-year-old married teacher, who is a father and grandfather, said the sexual relationship with the girl began the first night after they disappeared March 13, FBI Agent Utley Noble said during testimony at a detention hearing in a federal court in Nashville.
Federal prosecutors had argued Cummins was a flight risk and a danger because he took advantage of a vulnerable girl and traveled with her across the country to have sex.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes agreed.
“Here the evidence of danger is substantial,” Holmes said. She said Cummins had abused his position of authority as a teacher and noted all the ways he tried to evade police. Testimony at the detention and preliminary hearing showed Cummins spent $1,500 on a twoseat kayak, and he and the student used it to try to get to Mexico. They tried to kayak from San Diego to Mexico, but the waters were too treacherous, Noble said. The pair, he said, decided against going into Mexico on foot.
A lawyer for Cummins repeatedly asked the FBI agent if there was any evidence Thomas was held against her will at any time on the trip from Columbia, Tenn., to California. The agent said there was no evidence.
Cummins is facing a federal charge of crossing state lines to have sex with a minor and faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison if he is convicted. He also faces state charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual contact with a minor.
Cummins was arrested and Thomas was found safe in a remote area of Northern California last month after police received a tip.
No trial date has been set for the teacher.