Watkins Mill High School Wellness Center Contractor Arrested for Sex Offense with 16 yo

[Anonymous]

https://moco360.media/2023/03/16/award-winning-watkins-mill-counselor-arrested-on-sex-offense-charges/

A former contractor from Watkins Mill High School’s wellness center was arrested in Gaithersburg this week on charges of committing sexual acts with a student he counseled, according to police records.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Clarence Maurice McNeary III with two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense for engaging in a sexual act with a minor victim who was a student at the school where he was employed in a position of authority.

McNeary served as a counselor at Watkins Mill High, according to charging documents from the State’s Attorney’s Office. The police investigation began Dec. 13 after a 16-year-old victim alleged that McNeary had sexually abused her in the Watkins Mill wellness center on multiple occasions, court records show.

School board president urges passing of county executive’s proposed budget
According to the statement of charges, the victim disclosed that she first contacted McNeary seeking counseling services and that they began talking and texting regularly—but that two months into the school year, their relationship turned sexual.

She told police that she and McNeary would meet in the wellness center before school started, where McNeary would allegedly force her to her knees and perform sex acts on him until she gagged, the charging detective wrote.

Last year the school district presented McNeary with a distinguished service award for his work as a youth development specialist at Watkins Mill. A May 2022 staff bulletin from MCPS provides more information about the winners, reading as follows:

“Mr. McNeary has strived to provide positive youth development and services to more than 100 students each year, focusing on African American males. Mr. McNeary implemented curriculum-based programs such as goal setting, leadership, sexual health and Black male empowerment. He played a vital part in the student ambassador program that provided stipends for students to take a leadership role in food insecurity and vaccination clinic outreach.”

MCPS “was not aware of the arrest,” spokesperson Jessica Baxter told MoCo360 in an email on Thursday.

“This is considered a personnel matter, but I can confirm he is no longer employed by MCPS,” she wrote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://moco360.media/2023/03/16/award-winning-watkins-mill-counselor-arrested-on-sex-offense-charges/

A former contractor from Watkins Mill High School’s wellness center was arrested in Gaithersburg this week on charges of committing sexual acts with a student he counseled, according to police records.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Clarence Maurice McNeary III with two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense for engaging in a sexual act with a minor victim who was a student at the school where he was employed in a position of authority.

McNeary served as a counselor at Watkins Mill High, according to charging documents from the State’s Attorney’s Office. The police investigation began Dec. 13 after a 16-year-old victim alleged that McNeary had sexually abused her in the Watkins Mill wellness center on multiple occasions, court records show.

School board president urges passing of county executive’s proposed budget
According to the statement of charges, the victim disclosed that she first contacted McNeary seeking counseling services and that they began talking and texting regularly—but that two months into the school year, their relationship turned sexual.

She told police that she and McNeary would meet in the wellness center before school started, where McNeary would allegedly force her to her knees and perform sex acts on him until she gagged, the charging detective wrote.

Last year the school district presented McNeary with a distinguished service award for his work as a youth development specialist at Watkins Mill. A May 2022 staff bulletin from MCPS provides more information about the winners, reading as follows:

“Mr. McNeary has strived to provide positive youth development and services to more than 100 students each year, focusing on African American males. Mr. McNeary implemented curriculum-based programs such as goal setting, leadership, sexual health and Black male empowerment. He played a vital part in the student ambassador program that provided stipends for students to take a leadership role in food insecurity and vaccination clinic outreach.”

MCPS “was not aware of the arrest,” spokesperson Jessica Baxter told MoCo360 in an email on Thursday.

“This is considered a personnel matter, but I can confirm he is no longer employed by MCPS,” she wrote.

Disgusting. Why are 24-year-old men allowed to be high school counselors?

[Anonymous]

The fact that someone employed by the Wellness Center, which is tasked with supporting and guiding youths who've suffered from trauma and harm, is inflicting more trauma and harm is unconscionable.

It also makes me worried about MCPS's role in mental health support and services for youth overall. I'm not confident the system knows what it's doing and these things are too important to play around with. It's clear MCPS is willing to cut corners and put on appearances rather than finding the right or best talent.

[Anonymous]

I thought adults were not allowed to be behind closed doors alone with minors.

He was probably part of the RJ hiring of more counselors rather than funding SROs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://moco360.media/2023/03/16/award-winning-watkins-mill-counselor-arrested-on-sex-offense-charges/

A former contractor from Watkins Mill High School’s wellness center was arrested in Gaithersburg this week on charges of committing sexual acts with a student he counseled, according to police records.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Clarence Maurice McNeary III with two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense for engaging in a sexual act with a minor victim who was a student at the school where he was employed in a position of authority.

McNeary served as a counselor at Watkins Mill High, according to charging documents from the State’s Attorney’s Office. The police investigation began Dec. 13 after a 16-year-old victim alleged that McNeary had sexually abused her in the Watkins Mill wellness center on multiple occasions, court records show.

School board president urges passing of county executive’s proposed budget
According to the statement of charges, the victim disclosed that she first contacted McNeary seeking counseling services and that they began talking and texting regularly—but that two months into the school year, their relationship turned sexual.

She told police that she and McNeary would meet in the wellness center before school started, where McNeary would allegedly force her to her knees and perform sex acts on him until she gagged, the charging detective wrote.

Last year the school district presented McNeary with a distinguished service award for his work as a youth development specialist at Watkins Mill. A May 2022 staff bulletin from MCPS provides more information about the winners, reading as follows:

“Mr. McNeary has strived to provide positive youth development and services to more than 100 students each year, focusing on African American males. Mr. McNeary implemented curriculum-based programs such as goal setting, leadership, sexual health and Black male empowerment. He played a vital part in the student ambassador program that provided stipends for students to take a leadership role in food insecurity and vaccination clinic outreach.”

MCPS “was not aware of the arrest,” spokesperson Jessica Baxter told MoCo360 in an email on Thursday.

“This is considered a personnel matter, but I can confirm he is no longer employed by MCPS,” she wrote.

Disgusting. Why are 24-year-old men allowed to be high school counselors?

He wasn't even a counselor. He was subcontractor for 480 Club, which was under the supervision and oversight of the contractor (Identity) that MCPS outsourced the management of the Wellness Center to.

His age really isn't the issue, IMO. It's the layers of unaccountability and oversight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought adults were not allowed to be behind closed doors alone with minors.

He was probably part of the RJ hiring of more counselors rather than funding SROs.

Yes, he most definitely was hired thanks to the tsunami of funds given to support "youth mental health services."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that someone employed by the Wellness Center, which is tasked with supporting and guiding youths who've suffered from trauma and harm, is inflicting more trauma and harm is unconscionable.

It also makes me worried about MCPS's role in mental health support and services for youth overall. I'm not confident the system knows what it's doing and these things are too important to play around with. It's clear MCPS is willing to cut corners and put on appearances rather than finding the right or best talent.

That's because it's very hard to find mental health counselors, period.

Elrich and his progressives pulled the plug on SROs, and instead, wanted MCPS to use that funding to hire more mental health counselors, but MCPS hasn't been able to hire enough of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought adults were not allowed to be behind closed doors alone with minors.

He was probably part of the RJ hiring of more counselors rather than funding SROs.

Yes, he most definitely was hired thanks to the tsunami of funds given to support "youth mental health services."

which they are failing at, and not just in this instance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The fact that someone employed by the Wellness Center, which is tasked with supporting and guiding youths who've suffered from trauma and harm, is inflicting more trauma and harm is unconscionable.

It also makes me worried about MCPS's role in mental health support and services for youth overall. I'm not confident the system knows what it's doing and these things are too important to play around with. It's clear MCPS is willing to cut corners and put on appearances rather than finding the right or best talent.

That's because it's very hard to find mental health counselors, period.

Elrich and his progressives pulled the plug on SROs, and instead, wanted MCPS to use that funding to hire more mental health counselors, but MCPS hasn't been able to hire enough of them.

It's hard to find mental health counselors because treating mental health requires an incredible amount of education and experience to do well. Instead of acknowledging that fact and working with realistic limitations, we're throwing amateur counselors at the problem who in many instances are clumsily implementing mental health practices in ways that cause more harm than good.

The whole thing is so incredibly messed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://moco360.media/2023/03/16/award-winning-watkins-mill-counselor-arrested-on-sex-offense-charges/

A former contractor from Watkins Mill High School’s wellness center was arrested in Gaithersburg this week on charges of committing sexual acts with a student he counseled, according to police records.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Clarence Maurice McNeary III with two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense for engaging in a sexual act with a minor victim who was a student at the school where he was employed in a position of authority.

McNeary served as a counselor at Watkins Mill High, according to charging documents from the State’s Attorney’s Office. The police investigation began Dec. 13 after a 16-year-old victim alleged that McNeary had sexually abused her in the Watkins Mill wellness center on multiple occasions, court records show.

School board president urges passing of county executive’s proposed budget
According to the statement of charges, the victim disclosed that she first contacted McNeary seeking counseling services and that they began talking and texting regularly—but that two months into the school year, their relationship turned sexual.

She told police that she and McNeary would meet in the wellness center before school started, where McNeary would allegedly force her to her knees and perform sex acts on him until she gagged, the charging detective wrote.

Last year the school district presented McNeary with a distinguished service award for his work as a youth development specialist at Watkins Mill. A May 2022 staff bulletin from MCPS provides more information about the winners, reading as follows:

“Mr. McNeary has strived to provide positive youth development and services to more than 100 students each year, focusing on African American males. Mr. McNeary implemented curriculum-based programs such as goal setting, leadership, sexual health and Black male empowerment. He played a vital part in the student ambassador program that provided stipends for students to take a leadership role in food insecurity and vaccination clinic outreach.”

MCPS “was not aware of the arrest,” spokesperson Jessica Baxter told MoCo360 in an email on Thursday.

“This is considered a personnel matter, but I can confirm he is no longer employed by MCPS,” she wrote.

This is SO messed up.

MCPS was not aware of the arrest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://moco360.media/2023/03/16/award-winning-watkins-mill-counselor-arrested-on-sex-offense-charges/

A former contractor from Watkins Mill High School’s wellness center was arrested in Gaithersburg this week on charges of committing sexual acts with a student he counseled, according to police records.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Clarence Maurice McNeary III with two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense for engaging in a sexual act with a minor victim who was a student at the school where he was employed in a position of authority.

McNeary served as a counselor at Watkins Mill High, according to charging documents from the State’s Attorney’s Office. The police investigation began Dec. 13 after a 16-year-old victim alleged that McNeary had sexually abused her in the Watkins Mill wellness center on multiple occasions, court records show.

School board president urges passing of county executive’s proposed budget
According to the statement of charges, the victim disclosed that she first contacted McNeary seeking counseling services and that they began talking and texting regularly—but that two months into the school year, their relationship turned sexual.

She told police that she and McNeary would meet in the wellness center before school started, where McNeary would allegedly force her to her knees and perform sex acts on him until she gagged, the charging detective wrote.

Last year the school district presented McNeary with a distinguished service award for his work as a youth development specialist at Watkins Mill. A May 2022 staff bulletin from MCPS provides more information about the winners, reading as follows:

“Mr. McNeary has strived to provide positive youth development and services to more than 100 students each year, focusing on African American males. Mr. McNeary implemented curriculum-based programs such as goal setting, leadership, sexual health and Black male empowerment. He played a vital part in the student ambassador program that provided stipends for students to take a leadership role in food insecurity and vaccination clinic outreach.”

MCPS “was not aware of the arrest,” spokesperson Jessica Baxter told MoCo360 in an email on Thursday.

“This is considered a personnel matter, but I can confirm he is no longer employed by MCPS,” she wrote.

This is SO messed up.

MCPS was not aware of the arrest?

I don't believe MCPS was unaware but they have to cover their asses and act like they're oblivious. This guy was investigated starting in Dec and he's only now being arrested in March. There were definitely conversations with MCPS about this given that the victim involved was a student and that it happened on school property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that someone employed by the Wellness Center, which is tasked with supporting and guiding youths who've suffered from trauma and harm, is inflicting more trauma and harm is unconscionable.

It also makes me worried about MCPS's role in mental health support and services for youth overall. I'm not confident the system knows what it's doing and these things are too important to play around with. It's clear MCPS is willing to cut corners and put on appearances rather than finding the right or best talent.

It's deliberate, PP. Predators target at risk youth who have no support system and no one to turn to. It's a known gambit.

[Anonymous]

Don’t blame MCPS for this. The wellness centers are run by MC Department of Health and Human services
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/SchoolBasedHealthCenter.html

The schools have nothing to do hiring, training or oversight of the employees, so of course MCPS didn’t know about this arrest. The concept of the wellness centers is fine - bring needed services to families and children where they already are. The implementation is frustrating. They took space from within schools that are already over crowded. They suck away admin time to “coordinate” with the wellness center staff, but have no authority to direct their efforts. We now have a “wellness team” and teachers are asked regularly to refer students who may need services (e.g. therapy). Kids are pulled from classes for appointments, but somehow the wellness center doesn’t get the concept of the bell schedule for timing those appointments. They are supposed to create programming to engage kids at lunch, but don’t understand HS kids. I could go on …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t blame MCPS for this. The wellness centers are run by MC Department of Health and Human services
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/SchoolBasedHealthCenter.html

The schools have nothing to do hiring, training or oversight of the employees, so of course MCPS didn’t know about this arrest. The concept of the wellness centers is fine - bring needed services to families and children where they already are. The implementation is frustrating. They took space from within schools that are already over crowded. They suck away admin time to “coordinate” with the wellness center staff, but have no authority to direct their efforts. We now have a “wellness team” and teachers are asked regularly to refer students who may need services (e.g. therapy). Kids are pulled from classes for appointments, but somehow the wellness center doesn’t get the concept of the bell schedule for timing those appointments. They are supposed to create programming to engage kids at lunch, but don’t understand HS kids. I could go on …

This case involved an MCPS student and it happened on school grounds. There's no way this incident was investigated to point of an arrest and charge from December to March and no one in MCPS was contacted.

Also, MCPS said to MoCo 360 Media that it could confirm the perpetrator was "no longer employed by MCPS," which means they viewed him as some kind of employee for the system, even though he was a contractor. Otherwise, the spokesperson would have said McNeary was never an MCPS employee and was never hired by the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://moco360.media/2023/03/16/award-winning-watkins-mill-counselor-arrested-on-sex-offense-charges/

A former contractor from Watkins Mill High School’s wellness center was arrested in Gaithersburg this week on charges of committing sexual acts with a student he counseled, according to police records.

On Tuesday, Montgomery County Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Clarence Maurice McNeary III with two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense for engaging in a sexual act with a minor victim who was a student at the school where he was employed in a position of authority.

McNeary served as a counselor at Watkins Mill High, according to charging documents from the State’s Attorney’s Office. The police investigation began Dec. 13 after a 16-year-old victim alleged that McNeary had sexually abused her in the Watkins Mill wellness center on multiple occasions, court records show.

School board president urges passing of county executive’s proposed budget
According to the statement of charges, the victim disclosed that she first contacted McNeary seeking counseling services and that they began talking and texting regularly—but that two months into the school year, their relationship turned sexual.

She told police that she and McNeary would meet in the wellness center before school started, where McNeary would allegedly force her to her knees and perform sex acts on him until she gagged, the charging detective wrote.

Last year the school district presented McNeary with a distinguished service award for his work as a youth development specialist at Watkins Mill. A May 2022 staff bulletin from MCPS provides more information about the winners, reading as follows:

“Mr. McNeary has strived to provide positive youth development and services to more than 100 students each year, focusing on African American males. Mr. McNeary implemented curriculum-based programs such as goal setting, leadership, sexual health and Black male empowerment. He played a vital part in the student ambassador program that provided stipends for students to take a leadership role in food insecurity and vaccination clinic outreach.”

MCPS “was not aware of the arrest,” spokesperson Jessica Baxter told MoCo360 in an email on Thursday.

“This is considered a personnel matter, but I can confirm he is no longer employed by MCPS,” she wrote.

This is SO messed up.

MCPS was not aware of the arrest?

Not aware of the arrest is different than not aware of the accusation and investigation.

From the article:
Identity representative Carolyn Camacho confirmed to MoCo360 in an email that “since the accusation, Mr. McNeary has not been providing services” at the wellness center. She wrote that McNeary was a contractor with 480 Club and was never employed directly by Identity, but she did not expound on how long he had been working at the Watkins Mill center.

So the accusation was made, guy was promptly removed from the wellness center, investigation happened, and then 3 months later the arrest is made.