Bill Proposed To Help Report Sexual Misconduct In Oklahoma

Prosecutors charged a Waynoka Public Schools teacher with second-degree rape for allegedly having sex with a student.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) questioned 32-year-old Daresa Poe and the 18-year-old student Tuesday, only hours after the two allegedly had sex in a secluded area by the "walking trail" in Waynoka.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Woods County, the teacher, who is married with kids, admitted to having sex with a student several times.

The two allegedly met at a variety of places around town, including the student's truck, her home, and the teachers' lounge at the school.

"We were able to find some physical evidence from the relationship," said Jessica Brown, OSBI spokesperson.

Although the student was 18, under state law, that doesn't matter. Sexual activity between a student and teacher is illegal until the student is 21.

Investigators said Poe apparently knew what she was doing was wrong.

The affidavit included her written confession:

"I am Daresa Poe a wife, mother and teacher. I have made a horrible mistake. I have let my judgement [sic] faulter [sic] and I am embarrassed and mortified for the deasions [sic] I have made in the last two weeks. I have had sexual intercourse with a student. I am so very sorry for the decision I have made. I would take it back in a heartbeat if the chance was given to me...I hope a position of importance where people and students look up to me and I have failed. For this I am truly sorry.

Sincerely, Daresa Poe"

Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, said although Poe made a public confession, most cases are kept quiet in the interest of both the student's family and the school, which can allow teachers to do the same thing working at a different school district.

"What happens is that person needs to be employed again," Loveless said. "We have 512 school districts across the state, so they move across the city or county and can start right back up again."

A News 9 investigation detailed this problem, and showed how the state board is not currently notified of these cases unless reported by the media, and even then has no authority to investigate.

Loveless proposed legislation that would change that, by requiring school districts to report allegations of sexual misconduct to the state. If Senate Bill 301 becomes law, the board would be afforded a full-time investigator to look into sexual misconduct allegations. A teacher proven to be involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student would be flagged statewide, and have his or her teaching license revoked.

"We want to make sure a person hasn't been moving around the state molesting or having sex with children," said Loveless.

In the meantime, school districts are left to their own means of discipline.

Waynoka Schools Superintendent Loren Tackett would not elaborate on the issue, but assured Poe was immediately suspended with pay when the allegation arose.

She was arrested on second-degree rape charges and released from the Woods County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

News 9 was unable to speak with Poe in time for this report.