Former Chesterfield teacher acquitted of sexual contact, but allegations have left a mark on his career

Chesterfield, Va. (WRIC) – A former Chesterfield teacher and coach has been found not guilty of having sex with a student. Still, Joshua Alford says the allegations destroyed his life.

The former Manchester high school physical education and health teacher and former assistant football coach fears he may never be able to clear his name. Even though he was acquitted, the charges file still appears.

“How is this process even fair?” Alford asked.

Alford enjoyed his job before he was put on leave. He worked in the high school from which he graduated. That was until his world was turned upside down.

Alford recalled: “They said they were putting me on administrative leave.”

In 2019, he was arrested and charged with abuse of indecent freedoms with a child and with assault and battery. History made the headlines. The six-year-old employee at Manchester High was fired from his job. He was the subject of an embarrassing search.

He said, “They took explicit photos of me. They put me in this small room and chained me to a chair. I’ve never been in trouble before.

Alford would then learn that he was accused of having sex with a student in the school’s training room. It’s an allegation he denied and was determined to fight, even though his first lawyer wanted him to make a deal.

“He wanted me to make a plea deal. There is no way I can agree to a plea deal if I haven’t. I never touched the girl, never did anything inappropriate with her, ”Alford said.

Two years after the charges, a Chesterfield judge would agree. Last fall Alford was found not guilty. The judge dismissed all charges against the former educator, finding the accuser’s claims to be inconsistent.

Alford said: “His story was so outrageous. She couldn’t even tell at the stand when it happened.

He said the accuser changed her story several times.

The charges first came to light when a teacher reported “rumors” of an inappropriate relationship. Yet when the student was first questioned, she denied the allegations.

“She said nothing ever happened,” Alford said.

Court records show she put it in writing the next day. In a letter, she said: “I have never had sexual contact with Mr Alford. He always respected me.

His story changed when the police intervened.

“She apparently told her mother it was her first year,” Alford said.

History has changed again.

He said, “Then she said it apparently happened in the trailers.”

The student claimed there were photos and texts to prove it, but in court it never surfaced.

“No photos, no texts, no emails. I don’t understand how the police kept moving forward, ”Alford said.

While the acquittal was a relief, the false claims left a mark on the former master’s teacher.

“I lost my job, my diplomas are worthless. Any type of job I apply for will be there, ”he said.

The charges file will still be there until Alford gets the file struck off. Her family has spent thousands of dollars on legal fees and it could cost thousands more to have her case struck off.

Alford asked, “Is that fair? Why is she not accused of filing a false report? “

In the meantime, Alford can’t even rent an Airbnb without the claims surfacing.

“I sent them all the court documents that said he was rejected. They still said they couldn’t help me because it depends on my background, ”he said.

Alford hauls freight for a living now he has lost his teaching license.

A letter provided to him by Chesterfield Schools promised: “If you are not guilty of the pending offenses or if the charges are dismissed or dismissed, you will be reinstated with unpaid wages and accrued interest. escrow account, but in no case does this payment exceed one year’s salary.

Alford says he hasn’t seen a dime.

“They won’t even contact me,” he said.

Alford said he would never want to go back there and teach, but he wants his money.

He added: “I told everyone that if I go back to teaching, I have to carry a camera with me at all times.”

8News has contacted Chesterfield schools about Alford’s salary.

Chesterfield Schools spokesperson Shawn Smith told us, “We respectfully decline to comment.