ST. GEORGE — A former Dixie High School teacher accused of sexually abusing at least four students turned himself in to police Monday.

Ronald Sherman, a 61-year-old ceramics teacher, has been arrested for investigation of committing forcible sexual abuse on one occasion and sexual battery four times. Forcible sexual abuse is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to life in prison, and sexual battery is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison.

Sherman taught students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades between 1991 and this past spring, according to Washington School District officials.

He was placed on administrative leave in April during a school district investigation, which began after students complained of inappropriate comments. During the course of the investigation, which included interviews with several students, officials came to believe inappropriate touching also had taken place, said district personnel director Lyle Cox, who conducted the investigation.

Sherman, who cooperated with officials throughout the process, submitted his resignation May 24.

Many students at the school were confused about why the well-liked teacher had been placed on leave, Cox said. They were very concerned about his welfare.

Sherman was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility about 1 p.m. Monday. His arrest was part of a months-long police investigation that started after district officials told police about their own investigation, said St. George Police Sgt. Craig Harding.

Superintendent Max Rose said Sherman's alleged criminal conduct has been reported to state officials, who will decide whether to revoke his teaching license.

Washington County aims to keep its students safe from sexual predators by sending teachers to annual trainings about sex abuse and harassment prevention, Rose said.

"Every teacher gets trained galore," he said. "It's standard procedure."

Students are also trained on the prevention of sexual harassment, Cox said. In this case, a training session prompted the alleged victims to discuss Sherman's behavior with school officials.

Harding said more details about the case would be released after the investigation is completed. Police believe more victims may come forward. Anyone with information about inappropriate behavior involving Sherman should call police at 435-634-5000.

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