Former Prison Administrator Acquitted on Sex Charges

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) _ Jurors have found a former principal of a West Texas juvenile prison who was accused of sexually abusing five inmates not guilty on all charges he faced.

John Paul Hernandez was acquitted Monday after jurors deliberated about almost six hours. Hernandez dropped his head as the verdicts were read.

Hernandez faced up to 20 years in prison for the case’s most serious offenses: sexual assault and improper relationship between educator and student.

Hernandez was accused of sexually abusing the young men in 2004 and 2005 at the West Texas State School in Pyote. All of his accusers testified against him. Hernandez took the stand in his own defense and denied their allegations, saying they lied to investigators.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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