Michael DuPont - 7th grade teacher and pedophile

[Lucy]

http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9201705

SALAMANCA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Cattaraugus County teacher is behind bars accused of sexually abusing a 14-year old boy. And, he may not be the only victim.

Sheriff's deputies said Michael DuPont is charged with three counts of sodomy.

Investigators believe he had sexual intercourse with the boy in April and May of 2002.

Authorities tell News 4 they think there are several other victims who have yet to come forward.

DuPont is a 7 grade science teacher at Salamanca Middle School.

[Gilbrit]

Currently living in NY, I have noticed a scary trend.

NY has the death penalty but goes "soft" on pedophiles.
It makes absolutely no sense. In fairness to NY, there are other states that are the same way.

Talk about sending a bad message...
Oy Vey!

[nurseronda]

I sure hope Bubba shares his cell and shows him what sodomy can do to the mind of it's victim and his ass.

[crickett]

Prick got sentenced:

http://buffalonews.com/cityregion/st...673.html?imw=Y
The Buffalo News : City & RegionWednesday, July 22, 2009


Michael DuPont abused boys at school.

Teacher sentenced to prison for abusing students
Salamanca teacher faces up to 14 years on sodomy convictions
By Donna Synder
CATTARAUGUS CORRESPONDENT
Updated: July 21, 2009, 7:47 AM / 4 comments

LITLE VALLEY — As a Salamanca Middle School teacher, Michael J. DuPont developed a questionnaire at the beginning of the school year to determine the backgrounds of students and learn such things as whether the children came from broken or single-parent homes.

Some might view the form as a teaching tool, authorities said. But DuPont used it to identify his victims, according to those familiar with DuPont’s classroom crimes.

DuPont, of 77 Kent Blvd., Salamanca, was sentenced Monday in Cattaraugus County Court to up to 14 years in prison on multiple sex offender charges involving his students.

As a teacher, DuPont “was in a position of trust and authority,” said District Attorney Edward M. Sharkey. “People looked up to him to protect their children. He was a role model and betrayed their trust. These types of effects can be lifelong.”

A former seventh-grade science teacher, DuPont, 43, was sentenced by Judge Larry M. Himelein to two consecutive terms of 2x to seven years for convictions of two counts of second-degree sodomy. One incident occurred in the classroom around Feb. 1, 2002, and the other in May 2002 at the home of Du-Pont’s parents in the Town of Salamanca, a place where young people went for fun at a paintball range, authorities said.

In addition, DuPont was sentenced to two terms of 1 1/2 to four years in prison for two counts of disseminating indecent materials to minors. Those terms are to be served concurrent with the sodomy convictions.

The victims of the indecent materials charges were two boys, ages 12 and 13, authorities said. Sharkey said the incidents occurred in the Salamanca Middle School around Jan. 22, 2007, when DuPont showed indecent materials to two minors while using the school’s computer.

In addition to the prison terms, DuPont must also pay sex offender fees of $1,050 and court surcharges of $320. The court also issued an order of protection for the victims. DuPont must serve at least two-thirds of his maximum 14-year sentence — or about 10 years — before he can apply for parole, authorities said. Upon release from prison, they said, he will be listed as a sex offender on the state’s Sex Offender Registry.

DuPont, who was suspended following his arrest in October 2008, was also required to surrender his teaching license.

Several dozen family members and supporters filled the courtroom to witness DuPont’s sentencing. Himelein said he received around 40 letters of support for DuPont, which he “took into consideration.”

In handing down the sentence, Himelein said: “These [children] are our most precious resources and they don’t deserve to be put through something like this. The consequences will be long-lasting.”

During the court session, Sharkey, the district attorney, spoke about the questionnaire DuPont developed to hand out at the beginning of the school year. He said DuPont gave it to the students to identify those he then singled out for lewd and pornographic encounters.

DuPont briefly addressed the court saying the questionnaire was to help him get to know his students. DuPont said he’s since tried to do some good acts to outweigh his previous actions.

DuPont’s wife, Gerise “Gigi” DuPont, seated directly behind him, reacted to the sentencing with an emotional outburst and was led from the courtroom. Observers said an ambulance was called to assist.

Undersheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb said as victims came forth to tell their stories, “It was like a bomb going off in the community, no one would believe it could happen. Hopefully now the healing begins.”

The investigation was made easier, Whitcomb said, with the cooperation of school officials. “I would hope any other school would be just as receptive to an investigation; we had full cooperation.”

Whitcomb’s brother, Larry Whitcomb, is the middle school principal where DuPont worked.

Several years ago, the Du-Ponts decided to try to do something to combat the growing alcohol and drug abuse problem in the city and schools. They formed SalamancaCARES and through a series of fundraisers and other activities created a following of supporters.

Sharon Turano, a Jamestown reporter whose children attend Salamanca schools, said the DuPonts have since resigned their positions as the group’s two top officers.

School officials were not available to comment on how DuPont was able to abuse his students for so long before he was arrested.

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