* subscribe at http://techPolice.com Teacher is accused of Web sex scheme By Megan Tench, Globe Staff, 8/18/2001 EW BEDFORD - A Fairhaven High School science and math teacher was charged yesterday with directing teenage girls to a Web site where he was masturbating live, on-line. Using a Web cam, police officers were able to capture a still shot that positively identified Douglas Chase as he ''engaged in a live sexual act'' for a 15-year-old girl in California, prosecutors said. The Massachusetts attorney general's office, which has been promoting parental awareness of online dangers, said the quick reaction of the girl's mother, who immediately alerted police, should be an example to others. Chase, 46, a lifelong resident of North Dartmouth who has been a schoolteacher for one year, pleaded not guilty in New Bedford District Court as his parents sat stonefaced in the back of the courtroom. ''Essentially the defendant lived a double life,'' said Assistant Attorney General Ursula Knight, a prosecutor with the high-technology computer and crimes division of the AG's office. According to Knight, on two occasions, June 22 and June 27, Chase attempted to contact the 15-year-old through a computer she and her mother shared in Twentynine Palms, Calif. On June 22, while the teenager's mother was online, an instant message appeared on the screen which read, ''Are you alone yet?'' Concerned, the mother assumed her daughter's identity and responded to the message, notifying the sender that she was only 15, Knight said. It was then, Knight said, that Chase, who allegedly had made contact with the teenager before, directed her mother to a password-secured Web site where the mother saw him ''naked and masturbating online,'' said Knight. Shocked, the mother immediately called the San Bernadino County sheriff's office. ''Deputy [Jason] Calvert assumed the identity of the 15-year-old,'' said Knight. He witnessed Chase masturbating. While visiting a chat room, Chase - who allegedly directed his audience to call him ''Mr. Chase'' - said he was a 22-year-old teacher from Massachusetts. ''He also requested that next time the 15-year-old bring friends to view,'' said Knight. Calvert again posed as the teenager on June 27, and he pretended to have a 14-year-old friend along. When arrested yesterday, Knight said Chase admitted to having contacted the teenager. Computers and other equipment were seized from both his home and his office at Fairhaven High School. ''We did not have any indication that this was going on,'' said Patricia Ansay, Fairhaven superintendent of schools. Describing Chase as a ''nice enough person,'' Ansay said the rookie educator passed the required criminal background check and carried out all of his professional duties. ''I am now consulting with our school attorney to find out what course of action we will take,'' she said. ''Whether it is suspension or termination, that will be determined.'' Chase, who worked in the health care field in Dartmouth and Boston, is recently divorced and has a daughter who is a senior at Smith College, Knight said. His daughter was at his North Dartmouth home at the time of his arrest, Knight said. Chase was ordered held on $5,000 bail and must stay away from Fairhaven High School and unsupervised minors upon his release. He is charged with three counts of attempting to disseminate harmful material to a minor and one count of open and gross lewdness. ''The defense pleaded not guilty,'' said Michael Zeman, Chase's lawyer. ''I am not going to comment on my client's feelings or what he said to me,'' he said after the arraignment. ''He's certainly embarrassed about the charges and will face them accordingly,'' Zeman said. This story ran on page 1 of the Boston Globe on 8/18/2001. © Copyright 2001 Globe Newspaper Company. http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/230/metro/Teacher_is_accused_of_Web_sex_scheme+.shtml ============================================================ Apply now for a special offer from Topica.com and Discover® Platinum Card Get started with $10 on us!* 0% Introductory APR* - No Annual Fee - Up to 2% Cashback® Bonus Award *See Important Information section of application. http://click.topica.com/caaacXPb1dhr0b2EDp2f/Discover ============================================================ --via http://techPolice.com archive: http://theMezz.com/cybercrime/archive subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --via http://theMezz.com ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1dhr0.b2EDp2 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
