by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson -- A former Western Reserve Academy and Hudson High School teacher was indicted Aug. 28 on nine counts of importuning for allegedly communicating sexual acts on the Internet with who he thought was a 12-year-old girl, according to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason.
Howard A. Kaplan, 57, was indicted by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason after an investigation by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
In a press release issued Aug. 28 by Mason, Kaplan was allegedly engaged in computer conversations from May 10 to Aug. 21 with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl, but was actually a member of the task force.
Kaplan was indicted on nine counts of importuning and one count of possession of criminal tools.
The importuning charge refers to an adult soliciting sex from a minor using a computer.
Kaplan could not be reached for comment. According to Cuyahoga County Court records, no attorney for him is listed.
Western Reserve Academy Director of Public Relations Russell Morrison said Kaplan voluntarily left the academy after his arrest.
"He is no longer an employee," Morrison said.
According to Morrison, Kaplan, who lived with his wife in faculty housing on College Street, has vacated the campus house.
Kaplan taught at WRA from 1985 until 2002 and returned in 2006. Morrison said he could not comment on Kaplan's employment for years between 2002 and 2006.
Kaplan also taught computer science at Hudson High School during the 1984-85 school year, according to Sheryl Sheatzley.
According to information included in an academy bulletin, Kaplan was awarded the Parents Chair for Distinguished Teaching in 1999 after being appointed dean of faculty in 1994.
He also was employed with Ravenna Schools before coming to the academy.
Court officials said Kaplan is free on a $10,000 cash bond. His arraignment is set for Sept. 12 at the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
The prosecutor's office said Kaplan was arrested Aug. 23. Search warrants were executed at his home and office, which are both on campus.
Mason said Kaplan's actions should not tarnish WRA's "excellent" reputation.
"This indictment should remind all parents that there are predators online who have direct access to their children," Mason said.
Editor's note: Markulis is a reporter for the Hudson Hub-Times.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3143