Attorneys for Survivors of Forest Lake middle school shop teacher James Carter

Minnesota CBS affiliate WCCO recently reported a story about James Carter, a middle school shop teacher for Forest Lake Area Schools who is accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys whom he lured to his home to work on projects for cash and gifts. According to court documents filed in Washing ton County, Carter is facing two charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (position of authority and threat of harm) and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

“The defendant wholly abused his position of authority as a teacher and trusted adult to these young boys. This abuse and breach of trust erodes the very foundation of our education system and will never be tolerated,” said Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said in a statement.

A criminal complaint says that two middle school-aged boys reported that Cater would touch their groin area while giving them massages at his home. One of the boys was a shop student, while the other had Cater as an advisor. The boys told investigators that the abuse started when they were 15.

The stories of both boys were similar, with Carter buying them food or gifts, and inviting them over to his house to work odd jobs for case or to watch church services. One of the victims was given expensive gifts, including a lawn mower valued at $5,000. The other boy initially trusted Carter and described him as a “nice guy”.

Once alone at Carter’s house, the boys said he would ask if they wanted a message, which would eventually involve him touching the boys’ buttocks and/or groin over their clothes. Carter allegedly told one of the boys, “this is just between us,” whom he’d messaged more than once accounting to the complaint. The same victim said that he feared saying no to Carter. He thought Carter might hurt him if he refused after the teacher had shown the boy his gun collection.

Also in the complaint, the victims said that Carter would hug them before the left and would often slap boys he had over to work on the buttocks. He would also tap the boys’ testicles as though playing a game which he called, “sack slapping”. When investigators were executing a search warrant on Carter’s house, they say another teenage boy showed up there to work. The complaint says that nine other high school-aged boys worked for Carter at his house.

Carter faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted of the criminal sexual conduct charges.

We Have a 100% Success Rate with Sexual Assault Cases

If you or someone you love has been abused by James Carter, a middle school shop teacher for Forest Lake Area Schools, we can help. Our law firm specializes in handling cases involving sexual assaults. We are incredibly proud of the verdicts and settlements we have been able to get for our clients, along with providing help at every step in order to assist victims in their healing process.

Our team not only includes award winning attorneys, but certified victim advocates, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, forensic experts in sexual assault trauma, and activists in protecting victims of sexual abuse. Contact us today to learn more about we can support you or your loved one in their time of need.