Verdict released in sexual misconduct case against former Monroe Comp. Secondary School Assistant Principal

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A jury has reached a verdict in the trial of a former Monroe Comprehensive High School administrator accused of sexual assault and child abuse.

On Thursday, October 24, former Monroe Comprehensive High School assistant principal Horace Bentley was found guilty of sexual assault of a student and not guilty of child abuse.

This verdict follows his arrest in 2017 after cell phone video and an accusation from Bentley surfaced. Inappropriate touching of a male student under 16 years of age. WALB previously reported that students made other allegations as early as 2014.

Sentencing was deferred because Bentley has a pending trial in Upson County. His defense attorney told the court Thursday that they will be prepared for sentencing in the next two weeks.

“This defendant had been engaging in conduct in both Dougherty County and Upson County, Thomaston, Georgia, where he faces that charge even now,” said Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards. “So with that additional evidence, in addition to the evidence presented by the victim, we believe that the evidence was quite overwhelming and strong for the jury and that they reached the appropriate verdict.”

He will remain detained pending his sentencing date.

“It’s critical that these things be maintained, first and foremost, making sure that children are protected and that the integrity of our educators is also protected,” Edwards said. “We don’t want one bad apple, so to speak, to ruin the integrity of our educators.”

Watch the jury deliver its verdict in the courtroom.

WALB will keep you posted on this developing story.

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