An Albert Lea High School Guidance Counselor is charged with criminal sexual conduct, with prosecutors alleging the victim was a 16 year old student.
Richard J. Polley, a 32 year old Counselor at Albert Lea High School was charged in Freeborn County District Court on Friday with felony third degree criminal sexual conduct. The criminal complaint says the victim is a female student who had regularly gone to him for help with academic requests, as well as to talk if something was bothering her.
Polley also serves as Head Coach of the girl’s Varsity Basketball Team. The District on Thursday revealed it had placed Polley on paid administrative leave “pending the outcome of an investigation,” but did not provide any information about the nature of the investigation.
The charges says that on January 12th, Police learned about a possible sexual relationship between Polley and the student, with investigators interviewing the victim the next day.
Polley was booked into the Freeborn County Jail Thursday afternoon. His next court date is scheduled for January 27th.