Newman accused of improper contact

By Linwood Outlaw III -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — An attorney for a former Millbrook High School teacher, arrested in West Virginia in November for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a female student, had been working since June to complete a plea deal in the case.

But an agreement hadn't been reached by Thursday, and a new trial date was set for the defendant, Eric Scott Newman, 26, of 118 Spies Drive, Hedgesville, W.Va.

He is accused in Virginia of having improper contact with two Millbrook students, who were 16 and 17 at the time, from January to March 2007.

Newman and his attorney, Roger Inger, appeared before Judge John Prosser for a hearing in Frederick County Circuit Court on Thursday morning.

Newman was again expected to enter a plea after Inger requested more time during a July 24 hearing to complete details of an agreement being sought with the commonwealth. However, Inger told the judge Thursday that the sides still were unable to reach a deal and asked that a trial be set for the defendant.

He was supposed to have a bench trial on June 19, but it was delayed after Inger said an agreement was likely.

"I'm still hopeful we can come to an agreement. We have the framework; we just don't have all the details," Inger told Prosser on Thursday.

Prosser set an Oct. 23 jury trial for Newman.

Newman surrendered to Berkeley County, W.Va., deputies in November and was charged with one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or person in a position of trust to a child stemming from a February 2007 incident while he was a teacher at Millbrook.

Newman was indicted by a Frederick County Circuit Court grand jury on one count of feloniously enticing a person less than 18 years of age to participate in child pornography and two counts of feloniously using a communications system to solicit a person less than 18 years of age to engage in child pornography activity.

The investigation began when an ex-boyfriend of one of the students informed authorities that his ex-girlfriend was having inappropriate contact with her technical drawing teacher, according to court documents.

The girls told deputies they had sexually explicit conversations with Newman, according to documents, and the 16-year-old's e-mail account showed that she had sent several nude photos of herself to Newman's e-mail account, documents state.

The 17-year-old told authorities that she drove to Hedgesville, W.Va., on Feb. 3, 2007, where she met Newman in the parking lot of a Food Lion.

Newman had told her on the phone that his wife was going to be at work until later that afternoon, according to court records.

The two then drove back to Newman's home in his truck, where they watched a movie and had a 20-minute sexual encounter until Newman's wife called to say "she would be late from work," according to court records. Newman then drove the girl back to the Food Lion.

Evidence also includes records of phone calls between Newman and the 17-year-old the same day, court documents show.

Authorities also searched Newman's home and seized computer equipment.

Newman, who remains free on bond, is no longer employed as a teacher. He has not yet been indicted on charges he faces in Berkeley County.

* Contact Linwood Outlaw III at loutlaw@nvdaily.com