Former Lawrence teacher faces charge in alleged child sex crime — from 2001
A Terre Haute, Indiana, man is facing charges in Lawrence related to an alleged sex crime that occurred while he was working at an area high school in 2001.
John Lotz, 62, faces a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child for the alleged sex crime, which occurred in 2001 between Feb. 1 and April 11, according to a criminal complaint filed in Douglas County court on June 3.
Lotz was arrested on June 2 after an investigation by officers with the Lawrence Police Department, according to a news release.
According to police, during his time as a high school teacher in Lawrence, Lotz had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old, the news release said. Lotz was in his mid-30’s at the time.
Lotz worked as an educator in Lawrence from 1999-2001 before continuing his educational career out of state, according to the news release.
The department said it purposefully kept certain information surrounding Lotz’s arrest vague in the release to protect the victim’s identity.
Anyone with information to add to the case, or anyone with further questions, is asked to contact the police department’s non-emergency dispatch at 785-843-0250 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County TIPS Hotline at 785-843-TIPS (8477).
Lotz is being held in the Douglas County Correctional Facility on a $100,000 bond, according to court records. He is set to appear for a bond modification hearing on June 30.
