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Why was Shadbreon Gatson arrested?

Shadbreon S. Gatson, 43, of Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, United States has been arrested. He was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.

From September 2004 to June 2008, Gatson attended Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Spokane County, Washington where he earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and teaching. In August 2008, Vancouver Public Schools hired him as a teacher.

In 2009, Gatson received a letter of direction about how to interact with female students. In June 2013, he allegedly had sex with a female student, then 16, in a band room of Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver where he was employed as an English teacher.

A school custodian who allegedly witnessed the crime reported it to the school’s then principal William Oman and assistant principal Valerie Seeley. However, Gatson continued teaching at the school.

In 2017, Gatson received letters of admonishment for failing to maintain boundaries with two female students. In July 2023, he earned his master’s degree in learning experience design and educational technology from Western Governors University, a private online university based in Millcreek, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA.

On November 8, 2024, Vancouver Public Schools placed Gatson on administrative leave. On December 2, 2024, the student he allegedly had sex with in June 2013 came forward.

According to the accuser, she had been sexually victimized by Gatson while she was attending Hudson’s Bay High School at both the school and his residence. On December 4, 2024, a detective tried to interview him but he declined to make any statements and referred police to his attorney.

On December 20, 2024, Gatson was arrested. On December 23, 2024, he appeared in court before Clark County Superior Court Judge Suzan Clark.

Gatson’s wife also appeared in court to support him. Clark set his bail at $100,000.

On January 6, 2025, Gatson will be arraigned. Vancouver Public Schools has yet to fire him.