MARLINTON – A Pocahontas County man claims he was sexually abused by his high school agriculture teacher.
Chase McKenzie Fisher filed his lawsuit against the Pocahontas County Board of Education and Samantha Jane Bartley in Pocahontas Circuit Court.
Fisher, who now is 20, says “Bartley was a sexual predator with a lustful disposition towards male minor children” who “sexually abused, molested, fondled and assaulted” him during her employment at Pocahontas County High School from April to June 2013.
Fisher’s complaint says Bartley was arrested on sex-related charges related to him and indicted by a Pocahontas County grand jury.
He claims Bartley used her position as a teacher “to threaten, coerce, manipulate and force” him to “repeatedly engage in kissing, petting, fondling and sexual intercourse.”
He also says the school board had actual or constructive notice and reasonable cause to suspect that Bartley was engaging in such behavior.
Fisher claims he sustained severe and permanent personal injuries and damages, including permanent physical and psychological injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of future income, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, embarrassment and shame.
He seeks joint and several compensatory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and other relief.
Fisher is being represented by Lewisburg attorney Paul S. Detch and Morgantown attorney Wesley W. Metheney of Wilson, Frame & Metheney PLLC.
Pocahontas Circuit Court case number: 15-C-21