Crime
Criminal Charges Filed Against Utah Educator Alisha Marie George in Alleged Grooming and Sexual Abuse Case
West Jordan, Utah—A middle school teacher from West Jordan, identified as Alisha Marie George, 40, of Eagle Mountain, is currently facing a comprehensive slate of criminal charges stemming from allegations of grooming and sexual abuse involving a former male student.
The allegations suggest the defendant leveraged her position of trust, with the victim reportedly viewing her as a “mother figure.”
The defendant, who is married, was formally charged on Thursday in 3rd District Court with twenty-two separate counts, predominantly felonies.
These charges include:
- Four (4) counts of Forcible Sodomy (First-degree felony)
- One (1) count of Attempted Rape (First-degree felony)
- Twelve (12) counts of Forcible Sexual Abuse (Second-degree felony)
- One (1) count of Distributing Pornographic Material (Third-degree felony)
- Four (4) counts of Unlawful Kissing of a Minor (Class A misdemeanor)
At the time of her arrest, Ms. George was employed at Hawthorn Academy (9062 S. 2200 West) as an honors language arts teacher and the volleyball coach.
Prosecutors assert that Ms. George utilized her role and relationship with the victim’s family to initiate and engage in sexual conduct with the minor male between December 2023 and July 2024.
The victim initially met Ms. George when he was 12 years old and attending the school.
The charging documents outline that by December 2023, the victim’s mother and Ms. George had developed a close friendship.
The alleged abuse reportedly commenced over the Christmas break in December 2023, when the victim was 13.
The relationship intensified in the subsequent months. In February 2024, following a surgery the victim’s mother underwent, Ms. George allegedly offered substantial assistance, including providing transportation and care.
During this time, she would reportedly drive the student home and visit the house to play video games with him.
The victim described his bond with Ms. George to law enforcement as “tight,” stating he considered her a “mother figure” who was “always there for him.” The inappropriate contact is reported to have escalated from touching and kissing to sexual activity, occurring in various locations, including Ms. George’s vehicle, her residence, and the victim’s home.
The sexual contact reportedly ceased in July 2024.
Charging documents indicate that the defendant allegedly warned the victim “not to tell anyone,” leading the minor to feel he was “at the point of no return” and that they were “in a relationship.”
The victim further noted that Ms. George would allegedly express anger if he interacted with other female students at school.
The boy later referred to the teacher as a “monster,” explaining that she had exploited him during a period when he was particularly vulnerable and in need of support.
The victim asserted that he blocked Ms. George on all social media accounts after she texted him on his 2024 birthday, explicitly instructing her not to text him again.
Following Ms. George’s arrest, investigators reported that “multiple students” subsequently contacted the police department, alleging they had either been groomed by the defendant or had witnessed her inappropriate behavior with students.
Prosecutors have indicated that additional victims have since come forward, suggesting the distinct possibility of subsequent charges being filed in this case.
Ms. George’s initial court appearance is scheduled for December 9th.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.