A former Northern Virginia teacher and school board member is accused of sexually assaulting at least four young girls in the 1990s.
According to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, 53-year-old Thomas Francis Villacres was undergoing a routine background check with the federal government in Florida when authorities connected him to multiple sex crimes involving minors in Virginia.
The offenses took place during an 8-year span in the 1990s, when Villacres was living in Stafford, Va.
Four girls, aged 6 to 10 at the time, were involved, according to the sheriff's office. The alleged victims are now in their mid-20s.
Stafford County Public Schools confirmed Villacres was a member of the county's school board between 1998 and 2005. He also worked as a Spanish teacher at North Stafford High School from 1994 to 1995.
Villacres, now living in Rockledge, Florida, had worked with the Department of Defense and wanted to renew his background clearance when the allegations came to light.
"The background check is really the instrument that lit the candle that let us know what was going on, and now thanks to that information, we're able to get a case on Mr. Villacres," Bill Kennedy with Stafford County Sheriff's Office said.
He was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on 48 counts of aggravated sexual battery, 48 counts of indecent liberties with a minor while in a supervisory role and 15 counts of object penetration.
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Villacres was arrested Monday night by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office without incident. He is currently incarcerated in Florida under no bond and awaiting extradition to Stafford County.
The Stafford County Sheriff's Office is requesting that if any other individuals have had similar contact with Villacres, they should contact Detective Pat Tudor at 540-658-4450.
