Montgomery County Teacher Arrested For Passing Inappropriate Notes To Student
by Alex Lloyd Gross
John Richards is 57 years old and resides in Newtown Square Pa. He is a teacher at Blockson Middle School in Norristown Pa. He teaches 8th Graders. or at least he used to.
On March 17, 2025, police were called to the school for a report of a teacher who allegedly had inappropriate contact with one of his female middle school students. Richards called the student to the back of the room where he had a desk.
He then showed her a text message that read that he wanted to kiss her two times on an upcoming field trip. Richards was going to be a chaperone on that field trip, police said. The girl was mortified and confused. She then notified her father, and other school administrators. An investigation was started.
Part of that investigation was the seizure of Richards’ cell phone. On it, they found another message. Police said the message said “That came out all wrong. I’m sorry for demanding anything. I have no right. When I see you my heart skips a beat. When you are around I find myself staring without meaning to. I wonder what your lips taste like and I hope to god there’s a chance for me to find out. I don’t know what else to say besides I think you’re amazing.”.
Police secured an arrest warrant for him and he turned himself in this week. He is charged with felony Attempted Institutional Sexual Assault, Attempted Solicitation for Institutional Sexual Assault and Unlawful Contact With a Minor—Sexual Offense, as well as misdemeanor charges of Corruption of Minors, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Attempted Indecent Assault of Person Less Than 16 Years Old.
Richards was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Todd Stephens, who set bail at $10,000 cash
bail, with additional conditions of no contact with the victim or minors. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., March 27, 2025, before Magisterial District Judg