- Kirk Ashton, 51, has been charged with sexually abusing nine young boys
- The offences are alleged to have all occurred within the past four years
- Investigators say there could be more victims; Ashton has been principal of Hilton Northwood School in upstate New York since 2004
- He had a felony DWI charge dating to 2007; some parents are outraged he was still able to maintain his position in spite of his criminal record
- Ashton remains behind bars on a $500,000 cash bail
A New York state elementary school principal has been arrested for sexually abusing at least nine young boys.
Kirk Ashton, 51, who is the head of the Hilton Northwood School, located 80 miles northeast of Buffalo, was taken into custody on Wednesday evening before being slapped with 20 different charges.
According to The Democrat and Chronicle, Ashton has been charged with six counts of first-degree sexual abuse, five counts of second-degree course of sexual conduct, and nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Prosecutors say his victims were all boys aged between eight and 12 years old. The offences are alleged to have all taken places within the past four years.
Police say nine boys had come forward alleging that they had been sexually abused.
Investigators say there may be more victims who had been abused prior to 2017. Ashton has served as principal of the Hilton Northwood School since 2004.
Ashton is pictured after his arrest on Wednesday evening
Ashton has served as principal of the Hilton Northwood School since 2004
Ashton was placed on administrative leave last week, before his arrest on Wednesday.
After he was taken into custody, School District Superintendent Casey Kosiorek wrote to parents informing them of the charges .
‘I want to assure you that the District has been cooperating fully with the State Police. Our primary concern is for our students,’ he stated.
A crisis team, which includes counselors, has been made available to stunned students and staff.
Ashton first became certified to teach pre-K through grade six in 1996. He received a permanent certificate as a school district administrator five years later.
Some parents have been left outraged at news Ashton was able to obtain and maintain his teaching credentials despite having a criminal record.
He has a misdemeanor DWI charge dating from 1998 and a felony DWI charge stemming from an incident in 2007.
While all people applying to teach in New York state public schools must undergo a background check, a felony DWI is not a charge that precludes a teacher from employment.
Ashton is being held on a $500,000 cash bond.
