Teacher pleads not guilty to raping student

KENT, Wash. – A religion teacher accused of raping a teenage student pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning. Scott Spies, a teacher at the Auburn Adventist Academy, has been charged with third-degree child rape and sexual misconduct with a minor.

At the Regional Justice Center, Spies was surrounded by family and a fellow teacher when he arrived for his arraignment. He remained silent through the hearing and let his lawyer do the talking.

Spies, 49, taught Bible study classes at the school and was fired after the allegations came to light. Investigators said the relationship allegedly started in February 2009, when the girl was 15 years old, and became sexual last fall after she turned 16.

The age of consent "without reservation" in Washington state is 18 as it is in Oregon. However, some argue that the Revised Code of Washington implies that the age of consent could actually be 16.

The two had intercourse about 15 times – usually at Spies' apartment in Auburn police said. The relationship continued until a few weeks before Spies was arrested.

Even before the arrest, however, some neighbors said they were puzzled by "weird" things they saw going on at his apartment – especially given his image as a nice, Christian guy.

One of Spies' neighbors said he saw the teacher bring high school-age girls to his apartment several times beginning about a year ago.

"It was weird because I knew he was a teacher, it was Saturday night – it was a weekend, and three girls were there – going to his place," said the neighbor, who spoke on condition that his name not be used.

At other times the neighbor said he witnessed Spies hold parties and "get togethers" with high school girls inside his townhouse.

School Principal Marvin Mitchell said Spies alleged actions are a betrayal that stings deeply.

"We did terminate him and suspend him immediately from campus," he said. "He was very remorseful. Very remorseful."

Mitchell said the school is helping the girl and other students cope with the damage done.

According to online records, Spies has a master's degree in theology and began teaching at the Auburn Adventist Academy in 2009. He also is an alumnus of the school, graduating in 1979.

He was released from jail on Feb. 20 after he posted bail.

At the hearing on Wednesday, a judge ordered Spies to have no contact with the alleged victim, or any other minors, unless supervised by an adult who is aware of the charges.

Spies is scheduled to be back in court April 1.