Former Twinfield teacher pleads innocent to violation
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Times Argus Staff - Published: May 27, 2009
BARRE – A man accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students while he was a teacher at Twinfield Union School pleaded innocent on Tuesday to violating his court conditions by contacting the alleged victim in the case.
John Buttura, 54, of Waterbury, was charged in April with sexually exploiting a minor under Vermont's new sex-crime statutes. Buttura pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on a condition that he not contact with the alleged victim, a 16-year-old girl who apparently consented to the relationship.
But on Tuesday afternoon, Buttura was arrested for allegedly violating that condition. He is accused of contacting her by e-mail and cell phone text messages.
Police were notified of e-mails by Twinfield principal Owen Bradley, according to the affidavit filed in support of the new charge.
Washington County State's Attorney Tom Kelly asked that Buttura be held on $20,000 bail, but Judge Thomas Devine determined Buttura was not a risk of flight and denied the bail.
Buttura declined to comment outside the courtroom.
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