Dec. 30—JAMESTOWN — A Jamestown elementary school teacher and volunteer firefighter acknowledged it was “highly likely” that he had a sexual relationship with a minor while she was younger than 18 years old, according to court documents.
“… he did not have any way to disprove it or to prove it,” court documents say.
Michael Paul Romans, 45, was formally charged on Tuesday, Dec. 30, with corruption or solicitation of minors, a Class C felony.
Romans is accused of being at least 22 years old and being at least three years older than the minor and engaging in a sexual act with the minor who was 15 years old or older from April 2, 2014, to April 1, 2017.
Romans made his initial appearance Tuesday in Southeast District Court in Jamestown. His bond was set at $50,000 cash or $200,000 surety bond. As of approximately 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Romans was on the jail inmate roster in the Stutsman County Correctional Center.
A preliminary hearing and/or arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 21. A jury trial is scheduled for April 28.
Romans is a teacher at Gussner Elementary School in Jamestown and a volunteer firefighter with the Jamestown Fire Department.
Romans was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, according to the Jamestown Public School District.
Romans was also placed on administrative leave from the city of Jamestown.
Court documents say the victim, who was not identified, told an investigator with the Jamestown Police Department on Dec. 5 that she was either 16 or 17 years old when she and Romans had sexual intercourse.
The victim said it was a “high” number for how many times she and Romans had sexual intercourse before she was 18 years old, court documents say.
The victim said she has known Romans since she was a fourth grade student at Gussner Elementary School, court documents say. The victim was a babysitter for Romans while she was in middle school, and he was her tutor while she was in high school.
The victim said the relationship progressed over time with Romans kissing her on the head and then on the lips, court documents say. Romans would hug the victim longer and hold her tighter behind her back when she was in a swimsuit or put his hand under her shirt.
The victim also said Romans’ wife was sometimes at home when the sexual intercourse occurred, court documents say. Court documents say the victim said Romans would suggest going to a different place in the home.
When asked by the investigator if it would be shocking to find out the victim was underage, Romans responded “no,” court documents say.
“Romans said he definitely knew she was younger,” court documents say.
The Class C felony charge is punishable by five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If Romans is convicted, the mandatory minimum sentence is five years supervised probation with latitude for lifetime probation.
