Former T.C. Williams Teacher Sentenced to One Year in Prison

A T.C. Williams High School teacher who engaged in inappropriate relationships with students younger than 18 years old will serve one year in prison. 

Stephen Miarer, 38, of Woodbridge was sentenced Thursday on two counts of taking indecent liberties with juveniles. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 31.

The relationships involved unlawful physical contact of a sexual nature inside the school with at least two students.

Miarer was sentenced to a total of 10 years, with nine years suspended provided he exhibits 10 years of good behavior, undergoes five years of supervised probation and has no contact his victims.

Miarer was also ordered to complete sex offender treatment as a condition of his probation and is not to have unsupervised contact with any children except his own.   

“The judge’s just sentence, which represented an upwards departure from the applicable advisory sentencing guidelines, was appropriate because the defendant used his position as a teacher to sexually exploit several students,” Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Cathryn Evans said in a release. “The defendant, who was 20 years older than his victims, was prosecuted under the Virginia code section designed to protect minors from sexual exploitation by adults who hold positions of trust or authority over them.”

Miarer resigned from his job at T.C. Williams, where he worked for 10 years, following an investigation into his actions.

T.C. Williams Principal Suzanne Maxey informed parents about the investigation in a June 10, 2013 letter.

“Last Friday, two students reported rumors that one of our male teachers was having inappropriate relations with several of our female students,” Maxey wrote. “As we do with any rumor, we thoroughly investigated the situation. Within a short time, we discovered enough information to contact ACPS Human Resources and remove the teacher from the school. The police have been contacted and all appropriate actions are being taken.”