Cop: Ex-teacher admitted ‘cuddling’

Erica D. Johnson

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003 | 11:19 a.m.

The former substitute teacher and Boy Scout leader charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old family member and an 8-year-old family friend allegedly admitted to molesting one of the boys, according to grand jury transcripts released Wednesday.

According to the transcripts, Metro Police Detective Robert Conboy testified that Robert Stevenson, 33, told him he'd sexually molested the 8-year-old boy when he slept over at his Henderson home with Stevenson's son.

Stevenson, a former substitute teacher at John Bass Elementary School, admitted to having sexual contact with the boy, but referred to it as "cuddling," Conboy testified.

"He couldn't offer an explanation," the police officer told the grand jury. "He said he didn't understand why."

The boy testified that the abuse occurred once after a birthday party for Stevenson's son and again after Steven took the children to a drive-in movie.

"He tried to pull (my pajamas) down, but I pulled them back up," the boy said.

The grand jury who heard the testimony later indicted Stevenson on two counts of sexual assault, six counts of lewdness and two counts of attempted sexual assault, all with a minor under 14.

Stevenson was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Sally Loehrer. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center in lieu of $1 million bond.

Conboy said he interviewed Stevenson after the boy's parents called police and reported the alleged abuse.

Stevenson initially denied that he sexually assaulted the child, Conboy said.

Stevenson said his church bishop had told him that children had complained about Stevenson's contact with a group of boys who commonly slept over at his house, Conboy said.

"It was to a point where the boys had made a complaint and the bishop had called him in and informed him that the 'hugging,' as he put it, was making the boys feel uncomfortable," he said.

Stevenson's 12-year-old relative came forward with similar allegations of abuse after news of Stevenson's arrest was released to the media.

The boy, who also testified, said he didn't want to come forward initially because he didn't want to get Stevenson in trouble.

But once he "found out (Stevenson) was already in trouble ... I didn't feel as bad (about coming forward) because I wouldn't be the reason he was getting in trouble," the boy said.