Man charged with five sex crimes taught at Boise State, CWI
A man arrested last Friday on suspicion of sexually abusing a girl younger than 16 was recently an adjunct professor at Boise State and previously worked as a teacher at the College of Western Idaho, and also as an instruction assistant at the Idaho State Correctional Institution.
James Earl Williams, 66, was charged with five felonies: two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor under 16.
According to previous Statesman reporting, authorities began investigating Williams after the Department of Health and Welfare received word that he had allegedly participated in sexual conduct with a teenager familiar to him.
Williams began serving as an adjunct at Boise State in 2013 and taught courses in dispute resolution and university foundations, Boise State spokesman Greg Hahn told the Statesman in an email. Williams will not finish out the semester.
Hahn said that even though Williams was not full time, he passed a background check when he was hired and had no prior criminal record.
“Boise State is attempting to reach out to all students who have taken a course from Mr. Williams to explain the resources that are available to students and other members of the campus community, and to pass on the request from the Boise Police Department for any additional information about Mr. Williams,” Hahn wrote. “The safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus guests is the highest priority of Boise State University.”
CWI spokesman Ashley Smith told the Statesman that Williams taught basic skills education courses at the school but had not taught there since 2016. Basic skills education includes GED and ESL (English as a Second Language) courses, Smith said.
Idaho Department of Correction spokesman Jeff Ray confirmed with the Statesman that Williams began serving as a teaching assistant at ISCI in December 2012 and has been placed on leave without pay.
Below is our previous reporting on this story.
A 66-year-old man accused of sexually abusing a girl younger than age 16 was arrested by Boise police on Friday.
Police began investigating James Earl Williams, of Boise, after Health and Welfare staff received reports that the man was allegedly sexually abusing a teenage girl he knew “within the last few months,” according to a police news release.
Williams was booked into jail in Ada County for two counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than age 16 and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor younger than age 16.
The Boise Police Department say officers are concerned Williams may have other victims. Anyone with information about Williams is asked to contact dispatch at 208-377-6790 or Crime Stoppers at 208-343-COPS (2677) or www.343COPS.com. Tips may also be left using the “P3 Tips” app on a mobile device.
A judge set Williams’ bond Monday at $250,000, and his next court hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 19. The crimes are punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison.
This story was originally published December 11, 2018 at 12:09 PM.
