Teacher guilty of sexually assaulting minor claims he was too drunk to be accountable

A North Carolina high school teacher was found guilty Wednesday of taking indecent liberties with a student, while arguing he was just too intoxicated to form the criminal intent.

John Brian Taylor, 51, a business teacher at Polk County High School, was arrested in November 2022 after an incident involving a teenage girl, Fox Carolina reported.

On Nov. 15 that year, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting that Taylor had inappropriately touched a teenage girl in his classroom. Security footage reviewed by law enforcement confirmed the victim’s account.

After consultations with school resource officers and administrative staff, deputies arrested Taylor and took him to the Polk County Jail.

Evidence showed that while in custody, Taylor admitted to making inappropriate comments to a student. 

During the trial, Polk County School System Superintendent Aaron Greene testified about a conversation he had with Taylor before the arrest, according to WYFF 4. Greene said Taylor admitted to luring the teenage girl to his classroom, turning off the lights, pulling down the door shade and locking the door before grabbing the girl and pulling her close. When asked why he did this, Taylor said he wanted to kiss the girl. 

In his defense, Taylor argued he was too drunk during the incident to be aware of his actions and therefore could not consciously intend to commit the crime.  

District Attorney Andrew Murray said the jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning with a guilty verdict.  

Taylor received a suspended sentence of a minimum of six months and a maximum of 17 months in prison if he violates the terms of his probation. The terms include serving 10 days in jail, completing a substance abuse assessment and any recommended treatment, and avoiding contact with the victim.  

Taylor was also ordered to register as a sexual offender for the next thirty years, according to Fox Carolina.  

Following the investigation, Taylor was placed on administrative leave before resigning and forfeiting his teaching license.