A former Paola High School track coach and substitute teacher is headed to prison. Chad Kelsey reached a plea deal in the case involving alleged sex acts with a minor. Kelsey was arrested last May and charged with rape, unlawful consensual sexual relations with a student 16 or over and furnishing alcohol to a minor. The charge states that Kelsey was a teacher, or other person of authority, and engaged in consensual sex acts with a victim 16 or older and was enrolled at the same school where Kelsey was employed. Immediately after his arrest officials from USD 368 said they had no knowledge of the incidents and that Kelsey’s position with the district had been terminated.
As part of his plea agreement, the charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor was dropped. The prosecution and defense will present arguments during the sentencing hearing regarding the length of the sentence, and victim impact statements may also be read. The length of his prison term will be decided by Chief Judge Amy Harth during a sentencing hearing at 9:00, the morning of Monday, September 9th.
