Latest news with #AugustaCountyPublicSchools
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-teacher's aide, charged in Augusta County with sexual assault, facing more allegations
A former teacher's aide, already charged in Augusta County amid allegations she sexually assaulted two students, is now facing charges in neighboring Rockbridge County. In May, Beyonce M. Mass, 23, of Staunton, was initially arrested on two charges of taking indecent liberties with a child by a custodian after being indicted by the Augusta County grand jury. In June, she picked up three identical charges, also in Augusta County. Mass is a former teacher's aide at the Valley Academy Regional Alternative School, which is located on John Lewis Road in Fishersville. Authorities began investigating Mass in December after Child Protective Services notified the Augusta County Sheriff's Office about the sexual assault allegations. The sheriff's office said it determined inappropriate relationships between Mass and male students at the school allegedly took place off is no longer employed by the school, which opened in 2019 and is jointly run by Augusta County Public Schools and Waynesboro Public Schools. More: Former Nexus executive Richard Moore's sentencing delayed again: Here's what happened She was initially granted a $5,000 bond following a June 2 video appearance in Augusta County Circuit Court, and was placed on home electronic monitoring. Mass was released from Middle River Regional Jail the following day. But one day after her release, Mass was back in jail on three additional charges of taking indecent liberties with a child by a custodian. At the first bond hearing, where Mass was granted bond, Augusta County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney William Sukovich said the investigation of the former teacher's aide started in December after a male juvenile who attended the school was caught sneaking out of his home to reportedly meet Mass. She allegedly sexually abused the boy on at least two occasions, according to the prosecutor. Following her second arrest, Mass was again granted bond on June 6 in Augusta County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. However, Sukovich appealed, keeping her behind bars. Following the appeal, the bond issue went before Judge Sean Workowski in Augusta County Circuit Court, where Sukovich told the court a second Augusta County victim had come forward and alleged that Mass was a "groomer." Sukovich said the teen told authorities that he and Mass allegedly engaged in sexual relations about 15 times, once at a local truck stop in a vehicle. Despite Workowski initially giving Mass a bond at her first hearing in circuit court, the judge upheld Sukovich's appeal and denied bond the second time around. Last week on July 14, in Rockbridge County Circuit Court, Mass was indicted on a felony charge of taking indecent liberties with a child by a custodian. She was also indicted on a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, court records show. Mass is now facing six felony charges and one misdemeanor. She remains at Middle River Regional Jail. More: Lofton Lake Volleyball Camp a unique experience in Augusta County for area youth More: Project GROWS' youth leadership program has been 'heart changing' for some area teens This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Beyonce Mass facing more sexual assault allegations in Rockbridge Co.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Director of finance for Augusta County Schools killed in Tinkling Spring Road crash
FISHERSVILLE — Virginia State Police have released the name of the victim killed in a two-vehicle crash Thursday in Augusta County. Police said Mark E. Lotts, 67, of Stuarts Draft, died Thursday in a crash that took place in the 1400 block of Tinkling Spring Road. The incident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. Lotts was the executive director of business and finance for Augusta County Public Schools. "Today is a difficult day for our ACPS family and community," the school division said in statement released Friday afternoon. "Mr. Lotts was admired and cherished by everyone who knew him. His love and dedication to Augusta County Schools were unmatched as a professional, colleague, and friend. Mr. Lotts was highly regarded in his role due to his abilities to form a budget that reflected the priorities of the division. He will be sorely missed. We ask all to please keep Mr. Lotts' family in your thoughts and prayers." Police said Lotts was driving a 2001 BMW 325i and headed south on Tinkling Spring Road when it crossed the centerline and struck a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup going in the opposite direction. The BMW went off of the right side of the road. Police said Lotts, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. It was initially reported that the driver of the pickup was taken to UVA Health in Charlottesville with minor injuries. However, police said Friday that the pickup driver, 26-year-old Kevin L. Harris of Stuarts Draft, had serious injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to police. (This story was updated to add new information.) More: Survivalist store coming to Staunton. White's Wayside for sale. Bojangles teams with Wilson Elementary: BUSINESS BEAT More: Edgewood sidewalk project gets thumbs up from Staunton Council. Roundabout not quite as smooth. More: PD: Staunton man facing child porn charges involving two teenage victims Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter) This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: VSP release name of victim killed in Thursday crash
