Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Pahrump Teacher Convicted of Sexual Assault May Be Dismissed Next Month

Joseph Peterson, 52, was a business teacher at Pahrump Valley High School, where he taught for about 20 years, when he was accused of forcing a female student to have sex with him shortly before her graduation in 1994. The student said he assaulted her several times over a nearly two-year period.

Peterson initially was suspended with pay following his arrest November 1994. He later was suspended without pay pending his dismissal, said Marijo Rymer, assistant to the superintendent.

Peterson entered a plea bargain Tuesday admitting to one charge, and the district attorney dropped two others.

The Nye County School District is awaiting a written confirmation of Peterson's conviction, which it expects to get within the next six to eight weeks, Rymer said. The school board plans to discuss the issue at its meeting May 15.

Peterson is scheduled to be sentenced July 23. He faces five years to life imprisonment.

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