What The Hell?

Even in Acadiana where, we've seen the unfortunate incidence of child sex scandals in the past, most notably in the case of Catholic priest, Gilbert Gauthe, and also in the arrests of numerous individuals on child pornography charges, this story of an Acadiana High School teacher allowing his students to have sex in his apartment while he filmed them is shocking. Jason Brown and Richard Burgess, reporting for The Advocate, wrote that Stephen McKay Hurst, 37, was arrested March 26 on federal charges of sexual exploitation of children and attempted sexual exploitation of children for the purpose of producing child pornography.

I was most appalled by the details of the story, such as the allegations that Hurst supplied the students with alcohol, and may have used hidden cameras in some cases to film the students. And while, it's true that some kids in high school drink and have sex, they should not be exploited by an adult entrusted with the responsibility to educate them. Yeah, I know, I'm on my soapbox. Just call me Capt. Obvious. But this quote by Hurst's attorney, Charles Ferrara really put me on tilt:

The defense attorney argued that Hurst is cooperating with investigators, has admitted to many of the allegations, is planning to seek counseling and “wants to straighten out the mess he has done.”

“His biggest concern the whole time is how do I make this right,”

Really? You think the damage done to those kids is something that can just be "straightened out"?

Read the Advocate story here.