MONROE — A Monroe High School teacher accused of sexual misconduct had sexual relationships with current and former students for years, frequently inviting them to his house for dinner parties and book clubs, according to a new police report.
Monroe police arrested Giles Stanton on Tuesday for investigation of two counts of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor for a sexual relationship he was accused of having with a student in 2017.
State law defines sexual misconduct with a minor as a person having sexual intercourse with a person who is at least five years younger and over the age of 16 but under the age of 18. The perpetrator must “abuse a supervisory position,” like a school employee or a foster parent.
Stanton, 53, may have had sexual relationships with other students and former students, detective Nathan Erdmann wrote in the report.
In November 2021, the Monroe Police Department received a referral from Child Protective Services. A client had disclosed details to her counselor about a sexual relationship with Stanton in 2017, while she was a student at the school.
The former student reportedly said the relationship with Stanton, who was her English teacher, lasted eight months, according to the report. She also reported Stanton had an affair with her older sister after she graduated high school.
Stanton would host dinner parties, book clubs and other events at his house, inviting current and former students, detectives wrote.
Detectives reviewed Stanton’s emails and learned it was common for him to keep in touch with and meet with students after graduation, according to the report.
Initially, the former student did not cooperate with the investigation. Police did not notify the school district, “as there was not a cooperating victim and no allegation against a specific teacher,” detectives wrote.
In February, Monroe police reportedly learned of another inappropriate relationship between Stanton and a current student at the high school. School officials placed Stanton on administrative leave. Detectives interviewed Stanton, who reported he had a relationship with three former students, but only after they graduated, according to the report. He claimed he was never the one “to initiate anything.”
Police did not arrest Stanton for the allegations involving the current student.
The former student agreed to an interview with detectives. She reported Stanton took an interest in her when she was a sophomore, taking her out of class and walking around the halls.
When she was a junior, Stanton read her romantic poetry while holding her hand, according to the report. She reported he treated her like an adult in an attempt to make her feel special.
The summer before the student’s senior year, Stanton assigned “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov to his AP class. The novel centers on a literature professor’s infatuation with a preteen girl. The young woman told detectives Stanton would type letters to put in the book and give to her at school.
While Stanton’s girlfriend was away in Europe in 2017, he invited the student to his house. Shortly after, Stanton sexually abused her, she reported. The alleged abuse continued for months, until she ended the relationship.
The woman reported the abuse occurred at different places, including his car and hotel rooms in Seattle.
Stanton wrote letters to her detailing their relationship, including one on a “continuous scroll” that he wrote after the student broke it off. Police collected the letters as evidence.
On Wednesday, Everett District Court Judge Anthony Howard set bail at $250,000. Stanton posted bond and was released Wednesday night.
A Monroe School District spokesperson said the district was aware of the arrest and “we are continuing to fully cooperate with the Monroe Police Department in their investigation.”
“The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority,” school district spokesperson Erin Zacharda said. “We encourage students, families, staff, and community members to report any safety concerns, including those related to employee misconduct, so we can investigate them promptly.”
Anyone with more information about the case or other potential victims can contact the Monroe Police Department at 360-794-6300. Or dial 911.
Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @snocojon.
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