A former Olathe North High School choir teacher has pleaded guilty to two felony counts of unlawful sexual relations with a student.
On Jan. 17 in Johnson County District Court, Micah Horton, 36, entered the felony pleas in front of Judge Thomas Sutherland. A third of count of sexual exploitation of a child was dismissed.
Horton was originally fired by the Olathe school board on Feb. 27, 2024, after an internal investigation. He was later charged on March 7, 2024.
A spokesperson for Olathe Public Schools did not return a request for comment on the plea.
Horton exchanged texts with students
While working as the school’s choir director, Horton exchanged messages of a sexual nature with three female students through the social media app Snapchat.
He eventually coerced one of the students he contacted into engaging in sexual acts with him, according to a Kansas City Star report.
Following the texts, in late 2023, Horton pursued one of the students further, coercing her to send him explicit photos and being asked to “make out” with him on school grounds.
The student visited Horton’s Shawnee home three times, according to the Kansas City Star, where he coerced her to engage in oral sex.
Olathe school board fired him in 2024
In February 2024, Olathe North principal Jason Herman sent out an email to families in the school district stating he was “recently made aware of conduct in violation of board policies.”
After being made aware of the allegations, the school placed Horton on leave and referred the matter to local law enforcement.
At a school board meeting shortly after the principal sent out the email, the board unanimously approved terminating Horton’s contract.
In a note that came with the vote, the board said Horton was “prohibited from accessing any property owned by the Olathe Public Schools.”
Horton was hired by Olathe North in 2021
Horton was hired at Olathe North before the 2021-22 school year, the Post previously reported.
Horton was named Olathe Public Schools’ Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2023, according to his now-deleted LinkedIn profile.
His LinkedIn profile also stated he was previously a vocal music and theater teacher for grades 6-12 in the Grandview school district before coming to Olathe.
What’s next for the case
Horton will be sentenced in Johnson County District Court at 9 a.m. on March 28. He is currently being held in custody with a $500,000 bond.
Per his plea agreement, Horton must register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim.
Go deeper: Former Olathe North choir teacher makes first court appearance
