A former Thea Bowman Leadership Academy substitute teacher faces charges after having a 17-year-old girl perform a sex act in a classroom, criminal charges allege.
RayShawn “Shawn” Ransom, 35, of Merrillville, was charged Thursday with two counts of child seduction.
Court filings show he was arrested Thursday and is being held on a $3,000 cash bond. A bail review hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30 before Lake Superior Court Natalie Bokota in Crown Point.
A probable cause affidavit states Ransom was a “floater” who filled in for absent teachers.
Principal Marisa Simmons said in an email Friday that Ransom “is not an employee of our organization.” She declined to comment further and referred other questions — such as if there were allegations from other students — to the Gary charter school’s lawyer.
“The behavior this individual has been charged with is abhorrent,” said Calumet College of St. Joseph spokesman Brian Lowry. “We understand that when the accusations were made known to leadership at TBLA earlier this summer, they acted swiftly by contacting all appropriate authorities and terminating their relationship with the individual charged with this crime.
We expect and anticipate that Thea Bowman will continue to maintain a safe learning environment for children,” he said.
Calumet College took over Thea Bowman’s charter last month.
Gary Det. Cpl. Sean Melendez responded on Aug. 8 to the school, 3401 W 5th Ave., where he met the victim and her parents.
She said later she heard “rumors” all over the school that Ransom was “talking” to other students, but didn’t know that when he allegedly preyed on her.
The victim said Ransom had touched her inappropriately and made comments about her body. He grabbed her backside when they were alone.
In the past, he made advances and once offered her $50 to perform a sex act. She refused. He would sit close to her and rub her thighs without other students noticing.
In March or April, when they were alone after a class, he was editing photos when he asked the girl if she had performed a sex act.
“Extremely uncomfortable,” the girl lied and said yes. She put her phone on his desk, and then went to the bathroom. When she returned, he had it and was watching videos of her “twerking,” according to the affidavit.
“I didn’t know you moved like that,” Ransom said.
She was about to leave.
“Pretend like we’re cleaning,” he said.
Walking away from the windows, he unzipped his pants and had her perform a sex act. Afterward, she started avoiding school, documents state.
Police called the Indiana Department of Child Services and Lake County’s Special Victims Unit conducted a forensic interview where the girl repeated what she told police.
Simmons told police that Ransom worked as a sub during the 2023-24 school year. He was a “professional photographer” who had done “several shoots” with local 18-year-old girls, documents state.
Anyone with further information can contact Gary Police at 219-881-7300
mcolias@post-trib.com
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