St. Helens police arrested St. Helens High School choir teacher Eric Stearns for a second time on additional sex abuse charges after eight additional victims came forward with allegations.
Stearns was first arrested Nov. 12 after an initial investigation resulted in his indictment on seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse.
According to a press release from the department, eight additional victims came forward after the initial arrest, and Stearns was arrested again Jan. 4 and lodged at the Columbia County jail.
He now additionally faces one count of first-degree sexual abuse, six counts of second-degree sexual abuse and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse.
Two other current or former school employees have also been charged with crimes: retired math teacher Mark Collins, who also faces allegations of sexual abuse against students, and St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner on mistreatment and misconduct charges. Collins was arrested Nov. 12, and Wagner was arrested Nov. 26.