A criminal complaint charging former Great Bend High School track coach Todd Eric Kaiser with one count of sexual exploitation of a child was filed Thursday, Feb. 2, in Barton County District Court. The defendant was arrested June 6, 2016, and posted a $50,000 surety bond, which remains in effect.
A first appearance in court is expected to be scheduled on March 6, County Attorney Amy Mellor stated in a news release.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Mellor will prosecute the case for the Barton County Attorney’s Office.
The case reportedly involved sexting, a term that refers to sending sexually explicit photos, images, text message or emails by using a cell phone or other mobile device.
Last year, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said a search warrant was obtained and served for electronic media.
At the time, Kaiser was a 54-year-old PE teacher at Eisenhower School, head cross country coach, winter weights coach, track head coach and driver’s ed teacher for Great Bend USD 428. He had worked for the school district since 1987.
The sheriff said in 2016 that the investigation was continuing but that evidence was sufficient for the arrest. He added that the juvenile involved was currently not a resident of Barton County.
The school district immediately suspended Kaiser and issued a statement that he would not have further contact with USD 428 students, programs or facilities. His resignation was accepted the following week.