A Lorain County driving instructor was arrested Thursday. He’s
accused of inappropriately touching a 16-year-old female student during
an in-car lesson, but continued to teach driver’s education classes
after the arrest.
Brent Mitchell, 66, an instructor at Norwalk Driving School in South Amherst, is charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual imposition.
According to his arrest report, Mitchell picked up the student at school for a lesson Thursday afternoon.
The report states she was driving along Peck Wadsworth Road when she said Mitchell “rubbed her right thigh against her wishes” then “placed his hand on her breast and asked her if she liked it and she replied, ‘no.’”
The report states Mitchell told deputies he “probably” touched the girl accidentally, telling them, “sometimes he has to reach over to hold the steering wheel” and “may touch a student’s leg while “shifting” gears.” Deputies said the car was an automatic.
It states Mitchell claimed the girl was down on herself, and he told her she had “pretty eyes and long eyelashes.” He even claimed “students in the past have solicited him for sex.”
Some students, unaware of the arrest, were shocked when they showed up for their first driver’s education class Monday evening, taught by Mitchell, and learned of the arrest.
“It’s scary just thinking about it,” said student Mikayla Stump, 15. “That could be me.” Stump said another student told her about the arrest.
“It makes me furious, furious,” her mother, Michele Stump said. “There’s no way he should be around any other students, especially girls.”
As for why Mitchell was still teaching after his arrest, June Belcher with Norwalk Driving School told FOX 8 News reporter Matt Wright she and her husband, Harley, who owns the school “weren’t aware it was something as serious.” The arrest report states deputies called to tell Belcher about the arrest.
“As far as I know, he’s been a very good, decent guy,” Belcher said.
Belcher said he has since been suspended pending the outcome of the case.
Mitchell, who has worked for Norwalk Driving School as an instructor for more than ten years, does not have a criminal history.
Mitchell’s attorney, J. Anthony Rich, said in a statement, in part, his client was “confronted late at night by law enforcement and then asked to immediately discuss the accusation” and “he is presumed innocent until his guilt can be established beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Mitchell pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday and was released from jail. He’s scheduled to return to court November 6.
Brent Mitchell, 66, an instructor at Norwalk Driving School in South Amherst, is charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual imposition.
According to his arrest report, Mitchell picked up the student at school for a lesson Thursday afternoon.
The report states she was driving along Peck Wadsworth Road when she said Mitchell “rubbed her right thigh against her wishes” then “placed his hand on her breast and asked her if she liked it and she replied, ‘no.’”
The report states Mitchell told deputies he “probably” touched the girl accidentally, telling them, “sometimes he has to reach over to hold the steering wheel” and “may touch a student’s leg while “shifting” gears.” Deputies said the car was an automatic.
It states Mitchell claimed the girl was down on herself, and he told her she had “pretty eyes and long eyelashes.” He even claimed “students in the past have solicited him for sex.”
Some students, unaware of the arrest, were shocked when they showed up for their first driver’s education class Monday evening, taught by Mitchell, and learned of the arrest.
“It’s scary just thinking about it,” said student Mikayla Stump, 15. “That could be me.” Stump said another student told her about the arrest.
“It makes me furious, furious,” her mother, Michele Stump said. “There’s no way he should be around any other students, especially girls.”
As for why Mitchell was still teaching after his arrest, June Belcher with Norwalk Driving School told FOX 8 News reporter Matt Wright she and her husband, Harley, who owns the school “weren’t aware it was something as serious.” The arrest report states deputies called to tell Belcher about the arrest.
“As far as I know, he’s been a very good, decent guy,” Belcher said.
Belcher said he has since been suspended pending the outcome of the case.
Mitchell, who has worked for Norwalk Driving School as an instructor for more than ten years, does not have a criminal history.
Mitchell’s attorney, J. Anthony Rich, said in a statement, in part, his client was “confronted late at night by law enforcement and then asked to immediately discuss the accusation” and “he is presumed innocent until his guilt can be established beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Mitchell pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday and was released from jail. He’s scheduled to return to court November 6.
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