Democrat lieutenant governor RESIGNS after heinous sex accusations surface



When Mikie Sherrill picked Dale Caldwell to be her running mate on the gubernatorial ticket in New Jersey, she called the Methodist pastor a "voice for the voiceless."

Only a year later, Sherill called for Caldwell to resign from his office after an independent report documented numerous allegations of sexual and ethical impropriety against him.

'There has been a culture in Trenton, probably since the birth of our nation, to sweep this under the rug. ... Allegations would never be taken seriously, action would never be taken, and victims would just have to either quit their job or move on.'

The investigation into Caldwell began after an anonymous tip warning about his behavior with women. That investigation turned up "credible evidence" that he made an inappropriate comment to a female staffer and had sought a promotion for a state employee he was dating.

Sherrill announced Caldwell's resignation at a media briefing Friday.

"His decision will allow us to move forward with important work serving the people of our state," the governor added.

Caldwell had earned praise as the first black president of Centenary University in addition to being a pastor of the United Methodist Church.

He is accused in the report of saying to a staffer after being rejected by her friend, "You young women are looking for young sperm."

The report said he denied that allegation but that the investigators did not find the denial credible.

Caldwell denied the report's allegations and said he wasn't given the chance to provide his own witnesses or properly address the claims.

"This unnecessarily protracted and one-sided process lacked the requisite due process that should be afforded every citizen of this state," said his attorneys in a statement.

Sherrill did not have the authority to remove Caldwell herself, but his resignation prevents impeachment proceedings by the state legislature.

"There has been a culture in Trenton, probably since the birth of our nation, to sweep this under the rug," said Sherrill about the allegations. "You can speak to numerous people who’ve worked in the statehouse for decades who felt this day would never come, that allegations would never be taken seriously, action would never be taken, and victims would just have to either quit their job or move on."

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A group that described itself as black "faith, civic, and community leaders" approved of Caldwell's resignation in a statement Friday.

"I will move swiftly and thoughtfully in choosing a new lieutenant governor who will represent my administration and the people of New Jersey with honor and integrity," Sherill added Friday.

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Former first-grade teacher pleads guilty to sex crimes against teen student after she allegedly admitted affair to husband



A former first-grade teacher in Washington state has pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual misconduct with a teen, according to authorities.

Mackenzie Naught, 25, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual misconduct involving a minor on Friday, according to the Spokesman-Review. Naught is being held at the Whitman County Jail without bail, according to records.

The teen told police Naught was 'being flirty.'

KREM-TV reported that Naught, of St. John, faces a jail sentence of six months to a year under Washington State's Adult Sentencing Guidelines. Naught will also have to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Naught avoided the maximum prison punishment by several years.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor is a Class C felony in the state of Washington, which is punishable by a maximum of five years' imprisonment and/or a fine of $10,000

A sexual assault protection order for five years has been issued for the teen who was subjected to the sexual misconduct.

The Whitman County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Naught will be sentenced Aug. 28.

According to KREM, Whitman County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Tessa Scholl stated:

The defendant's guilty plea represents an important step in holding her accountable for her actions and spares John Doe the burden of having to testify at trial. Our office remains committed to supporting John Doe and his family throughout the remainder of the judicial process.

The Spokesman-Review reported in May that Naught had been teaching at St. John Elementary since September, and the 16-year-old student was a junior at St. John-Endicott High School.

As Blaze News previously reported, Naught was arrested May 10.

The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that police "received information about an alleged inappropriate relationship between a student and the employee."

"Following an initial investigation, deputies developed probable cause supporting the allegations," the statement said.

RELATED: Female ex-middle school teacher, already facing grooming charges, arrested again on new felony sex crime charge

The Spokesman-Review previously obtained court records saying Naught's husband informed police on May 9 that his wife of four years had confessed to him that she had sex with a teen on one occasion.

Court documents said the husband provided screenshots to authorities to prove his wife had been sexually active with the teenager.

The Spokesman-Review reported that the husband told police he had known the boy for years and was friends with the teen's family.

Naught initially informed deputies that she never had sex with the minor, according to court records.

The teen told police Naught was "being flirty" and that she attempted to persuade him to meet her, court docs said.

The minor said he initially felt weird about meeting Naught but eventually decided to see the teacher.

"He picked her up at about 2:15 a.m. in his truck down the street from her house," the Spokesman-Review reported. "She asked him where the 'little spot' was they could go, he told deputies."

The news outlet reported that "she suddenly kissed him." The teen claimed Naught began to "get handsy," and they had sex inside his truck and in the bed of the truck, according to court documents.

The Spokesman-Review, citing court documents, noted that Naught said she knew the boy was 16 but that he is "like one of their friends."

Court records revealed that Naught apologized and admitted she knew the situation was wrong and instructed the teen not to tell anyone.

Court records the Spokesman-Review obtained revealed that Naught’s husband filed for divorce in June.

KREM reported that St. John-Endicott Cooperative Schools Superintendent Tina Strong stated in May, "The district is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities and will also be conducting its own investigation into the allegations."

Naught is not listed in the staff directory for St. John-Endicott Cooperative Schools.

The school district did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment.

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Cops bust former special-ed teacher in truck with teen; she's accused of engaging in sexual activity with boy up to 20 times



A former Florida high school special-education teacher is accused of sexually abusing an underage male, according to authorities.

Citing Brevard County court records, Florida Today reported that 41-year-old Michelle Lynn Hancock was charged with transmitting information harmful to minors, using a computer to seduce or solicit a child, traveling to meet after use of a computer to lure a child, lewd and lascivious touch, sexual battery of a victim, and an authority figure soliciting or engaging in conduct with a student.

According to a court affidavit cited by WESH-TV, the teenager visited Hancock at the Heritage High School campus 'a few times, and they kissed in her classroom.'

Hancock is being detained on a $525,000 bond, according to jail records.

Hancock, of Palm Bay, had been a special education teacher at Heritage High School in Brevard County.

A spokesperson for Brevard Public Schools confirmed to Florida Today that the district no longer employs Hancock.

"We are deeply troubled by these allegations," said Brevard Public Schools spokesperson Janet Murnaghan in a statement issued last week. "The district remains committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students."

The school district said it is "fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue to conduct their investigation."

The district prior to her arrest did not renew Hancock's employment contract, the spokesperson stated.

Arrest records obtained by Florida Today said the investigation into Hancock began at approximately 1:30 a.m. June 23 when the Palm Bay Police Department was notified about a suspicious red pickup parked near an intersection.

Officers discovered Hancock and a 17-year-old boy inside the truck, according to arrest documents. The teacher and the teen both admitted to engaging in sexual activity, police said.

RELATED: Video allegedly shows female HS teacher wearing 'Jesus Loves You' shirt while having sex with student: Warrants

The teen informed investigators that he and Hancock had engaged in sexual activity between 10 and 20 times; Hancock said the pair had engaged in sexual activity "three or four times," according to the affidavit People magazine obtained.

The teen attended Heritage High School, according to Florida Today.

An affidavit WFTV-TV obtained said the teenager was not a student of Hancock, but she had taught his older brother.

The teacher had helped the alleged victim with schoolwork, according to the affidavit.

Last year, the teen transitioned to virtual classes after leaving the high school, according to an affidavit.

According to a court affidavit cited by WESH-TV, the teenager visited Hancock at the Heritage High School campus "a few times, and they kissed in her classroom."

Police noted that Hancock denied kissing the boy in her classroom, the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, the pair had stopped communicating at some point, but "they started talking again via text message" two months ago — and "approximately one month ago, they started engaging in sexual activity."

The teen also told investigators that Hancock sent him photos that were "sexual in nature," the affidavit said.

The Palm Bay Police Department and Brevard Public Schools did not immediately return Blaze News' request for comment.

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