Ex-teacher faces new sex charges

IVINS, Washington County — A former Dixie High School teacher awaiting trial on 2007 sexual battery charges is now facing new sex-related charges in Iron County.

Ronald Sherman, 63, was first arrested in 2007 after students he had taught in his Dixie High ceramics class complained of inappropriate touching and other behavior, court documents state. He now faces charges involving a 7-year-old girl.

Sherman told police he allowed the young girl to see him naked and fondle him, according to court documents. He allegedly said the actions were at the girl's request.

He has now been charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, and lewdness involving a child, a class A misdemeanor.

In the 2007 Washington County incident, he was placed on administrative leave in April 2007 for a Washington School District investigation that began when students reported Sherman's alleged behavior and conversations in the classroom.

Police interviewed three female victims at the time who said Sherman touched them inappropriately in class, asked them to show him their genitals and told them inappropriate stories, court documents state.

Sherman resigned from teaching in May of 2007 before he was charged with four counts of sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor, in July of 2007. He pleaded not guilty to those charges and is awaiting trial.

— Emiley Morgan