FeedsPlymouth-Canton teacher charged with online solicitation
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Orin Andrew KennedyA Plymouth High School English teacher was arrested and charged on Thursday with using the Internet to proposition a minor for sex and sending sexually explicit material to her.
27-year old Orin Andrew Kennedy was arrested in his Ypsilanti home after he allegedly engaged in a graphic online sexual conversation, according to Matt Frendewey, a spokesperson for the office of the Michigan Attorney General.
“He was talking to what he thought was a 14-year-old girl,” Frendewey said. “It was actually an undercover agent with our office.” The agent is part of the Michigan State Child and Public Protection Unit.
Despite advancements in computer technology and more collaborative efforts between law enforcement officials, Lt. Al Cox of the Plymouth Police Department said parents are still the best defense against child predators online.
Cox recommends parents take the following steps to protect their children against potential on line threats.
- Talk with your children about the Internet and establish computer rules for the home.
- Place your child’s computer is in a common, high-traffic area in the home where the screen is clearly visible.
- Check the history log on your computers regularly. If the history is erased, it may mean your children are viewing sites they do not want you to know about.
- Know your children’s passwords and access codes to their Myspace, Facebook and other online community groups. Check their pages regularly.
- Never allow your children to post a picture on an online community site.
Kennedy was arraigned in Ypsilanti’s 14B District Court, before Magistrate Camille Horne. He is charged with one count of using a computer to accost and solicit a minor for immoral purposes, a 10-year felony and one felony count of using a computer to disseminate sexually explicit matter to a minor, a four-year felony.
Kennedy is scheduled to appear in court on March 14 for a preliminary examination. He is not allowed to use a computer or the Internet as a condition of his 10-percent, $50,000 bond, Frendewey said.
Frank Ruggirello, director of community relations for the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, said the alleged incident did not occur on school grounds.
On Friday afternoon, the district mailed a letter to parents of students taught by Kennedy.
“We are currently performing an internal investigation and will take appropriate steps once it has been completed,” wrote Mike Bender, director of secondary education at the district.
Bender added that parents with questions about the situation could call (734) 416-2705.
Kennedy was hired by the district in August 2005. Besides teaching English, he was the sponsor of the Educational Park Quiz Bowl team, Ruggirello said.
Kennedy will be placed on administrative leave—with pay—until the legal matter is resolved, he added. Because of district policy, Ruggirello could not comment further.
Editor Scott Spielman contributed to this story
