EX-HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CHARGED WITH SEX CRIME COVER-UP

PFMLIT FOOTBALL PLAYERS, General, PRINCIPAL, RESTROOM, SEX CRIMES COMMITTED IN SCHOOL, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS COMMITTING RANDOM SEX CRIMES, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS IN POSITIONS OF TRUST

AP

Dwight Bernard, a former high school principal, was indicted Wednesday on charges that he failedto report on-campus sex crimes to protect a star running back who eventually led his team to astate title. Bernard, the former head of Northwestern High School, turned himself in after theindictment was released. The misconduct charge dates back to last September, when AntwainEasterling, then an 18 year old senior football player, allegedly had sex with a 14 year oldfreshman on the floor in a school bathroom. It was described as consensual but, because of thestudents' ages, is considered a crime under state law. The school district never disciplinedEasterling. He was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious battery, but entered a pretrialprogram that will wipe his record. Easterling has committed to play football at Southern Miss.Bernard was removed from the principal's job in March.

(Miami, Florida)