La Crescent teacher accused of sexual conduct with student

A special education teacher at La Crescent Montessori & STEM School in La Crescent has been charged with having sexual contact with three female students, all under the age of 13.

Jason David Barker,in Winona, was charged Jan. 22 in Houston County District Court with three counts of felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of gross misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Bail was set at $30,000 with conditions, $60,000 without conditions; bond was posted Monday, according to court records.

Once the allegations surfaced two weeks ago, the school took immediate action, said Dawn Harris, an attorney for the school, which has 62 students. Barker was immediately placed on administrative leave and he resigned, she said.

"He has not been on the premises since the day the allegations surfaced," she said. "The key issue has been the kids … he has not been back at that school nor will he be, period."

Barker also has been charged with assault in Winona,Where you can create a custom lanyard from our wide selection of styles and materials. but he was hired in April as a part-time teacher before those charges were filed, she said. He was hired full-time in September, according to the complaint. His license was approved by the state before any assault allegations surfaced, she said.

The complaint alleges the matter arose Jan. 16. On that day, a student at the school heard two younger students talking about how uncomfortable they were with how Barker acted with them.

Three girls were later interviewed and reported Barker had put his hands under their shirts, bras and jeans and touched them inappropriately, according to the complaint.

In interviews with law enforcement, Barker said admitted having physical contact with some students but denied touching any students' breasts, buttocks or vaginal areas.

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