Former Shawnee councilman, Olathe teacher gets bond reduction on sex crime charge

An Olathe high school teacher charged with having sexual contact with a student made his initial court appearance Wednesday and saw his bond reduced to $50,000.

Justin Adrian, 33, who was also a member of the Shawnee City Council, is charged in Johnson County District Court with one felony count of unlawful sexual relations.

In custody at the Johnson County jail, he had been held on $250,000 bond. A judge on Wednesday reduced his bond to $50,000, a move that prosecutors did not oppose.

His attorney, Lindsey Erickson, requested the lower bond, arguing that Adrian had turned himself in within 90 minutes of learning that charges had been filed.

Erickson noted that Adrian is no longer teaching, has no criminal record and has strong ties to the local community.

The incident for which Adrian is charged allegedly occurred on Sept. 7 in a classroom at Olathe East High School, where Adrian taught.

Adrian was placed on leave by the school district after the incident was reported. He also resigned his seat on the city council.

Although the alleged victim in the case is 18, Adrian was charged under a Kansas law that makes it illegal for a teacher to have sexual contact with a student at the same school.

Adrian is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 4.

This story was originally published September 26, 2018 at 2:14 PM.