Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Ex-teacher pleads guilty to sex assault
WEST CHESTER >> A former teacher at the Church Farm School in Exton was sentenced to 15-30 years in prison for sexual abuse of a student in his care between 2008 and 2010.
Marc Spera, 58, who now lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., pleaded guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor for the sexual abuse of a student that took place between 2008 and 2010. He was sentenced by Chester County Judge Patrick Carmody.
“Schools are meant to be safe environments for children; however, this defendant removed that sense of safety when he targeted his student – his victim — to satisfy his lewd behavior,” said First Assistant District Attorney Michael Barry. “I commend the victim’s strength and courage to speak up after so many years. It is a reminder that teachers and school administrators are mandated reporters and are required to report suspected child abuse.”
Authorities said Spera’s employment at Church Farm School ended in 2010. He was teaching at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg when he was arrested in
June 2020.
The former student contacted West Whiteland law enforcement in December 2018 to report that he had been sexually abused by Spera when he was in 7th and 8th grade, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Spera reportedly gave back and body rubs to the student in Spera’s on-campus apartment when the victim was in 7th grade, the DA’s office said.
Spera, who worked at Church Farm School from 1995-2010, gifted the student with a video game and equipment to communicate with him during the summer break, authorities said.
When the student was in 8th grade, Spera reportedly sexually assaulted him more than 40 times, the DA’s office said.
“I commend the victim’s strength and courage to speak up after so many years,” Barry said. “It is a reminder that teachers and school administrators are mandated reporters and are required to report suspected child abuse.”
The case was investigated by the West Whiteland Township Police Department. The prosecutor was Deputy District Attorney Erin O’Brien. Authorities are encouraging anyone who suspects child abuse to call Childline at 1-800-932-0313.