The former choir director at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park has pleaded guilty to more than two dozen felonies related to secretly videotaping female students changing clothes in his school office.
The latest: Joseph Heidesch, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of sexually exploitative material involving a minor and 25 counts of breach of privacy during a virtual hearing in Johnson County District Court on Monday.
- Four other felony charges against Heidesch were dropped.
Plea deal: As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors are asking that Heidesch serve 68 months, or five years and eight months, in a Kansas prison.
- His sentencing is now set for April 17.
- Heidesch is currently in Georgia, where a judge has allowed him to stay with family while out on bond.
Backstory: Heidesch was arrested in October 2021 and ultimately charged with 30 separate felonies for using a hidden camera to record female students undressing in his office at the private Catholic high school in south Overland Park.
- The alleged recordings occurred between Jan. 1, 2019, and Sept. 16, 2021, according to court records.
- Heidesch’s arrest was the result of an investigation by police in Shawnee, where Heidesch lived.
- Initially placed on administrative leave, the school confirmed earlier this year that Heidesch had been fired after his arrest.
Other lawsuits: Heidesch, along with St. Thomas Aquinas, are named in at least three ongoing civil lawsuits filed by former students or their parents.
- All three suits are now seeking monetary damages from the school, alleging Aquinas officials failed to adequately protect students from Heidesch’s predatory behavior and prevent the violation of school policies against sexual misconduct by teachers.
- The civil suits all say that Heidesch often forced female students to change outfits in his office during dress rehearsals while a hidden video camera in his office to record them in various states of undress.
A final thought: Prosecutors have said there were possibly up to 100 victims but only enough evidence to support charges in 25, according to Fox 4.
