Former teacher's aide arrested on suspicion of having sex with students

WEST JORDAN — A former teacher's assistant accused of having sexual intercourse with two 15-year-old students was arrested this week.

Andrea Billingsley, 31, was picked up at her home Tuesday and arrested on suspicion of forcible sexual abuse, forcible sodomy and distributing pornographic materials to minors, said West Jordan police officer Dan Roberts.

The former aide at West Jordan Middle School, 7550 S. Redwood, met the two boys while overseeing an in-school suspension class, Roberts said. Police believe the sexual encounters occurred between May and July.

The alleged sexual activity would happen on school grounds, including an undisclosed location inside the school, and off campus, he said. The three allegedly continued to meet after the last school year had ended.

On or about July 20, Billingsley picked the two boys up at the school, according to Salt Lake County Jail records, took them to an undisclosed location in West Jordan and "engaged in several sex acts with them."

It was during the current school year that reports of inappropriate behavior first surfaced after the two boys were overheard talking to other students about what happened.

"We had heard that some kids were bragging about it, and someone notified the West Jordan Middle principal," said Jordan District spokeswoman Melinda Colton. "I think this situation portrays the importance of everyone being involved to protect our children."

Billingsley was also accused of showing pornographic materials to the boys near the end of the last school year, according to jail records. Roberts declined to say if the explicit materials were through e-mails, picture texts or photos, or if they included images of Billingsley.

A search warrant was served at Billingsley's residence Tuesday. Details about what evidence, if any, was collected were not available Wednesday. Robert said the investigation was continuing as detectives could not yet rule out the possibility of additional victims.

Billingsley worked about 17 hours a week and was on staff from August 2008 to May 2009. She passed a background check before being hired, Colton said. She was not asked to return this school year due to lack of funds for the position, she said.

e-mail: lgroves@desnews.com