Former Maryland High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse Charges

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 3, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Sex Abuse | Suspects |

A former Maryland high school teacher and sports coach pleaded guilty, via a remote meeting, to two sex abuse offenses.

Kirkland Shipley, 48, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse of a secondary education student and possession of a sexual performance of a minor during a June 3 hearing. He was originally charged with three counts of first-degree sex abuse of a minor and three counts of second-degree sex abuse of a minor. The other charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

During the hearing, the prosecutor detailed, for DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, the incidents that occurred with two separate victims. 

The first victim was in high school from 2014 to 2018 and joined the girl’s rowing team during her sophomore year. Shipley was her coach. Shipley was also her history and geography teacher during that time, according to court documents. 

The first incident between Shipley and the first victim occurred before the victim’s high school graduation. Shipley was 44 and the victim was 18 years old at the time the incident occurred, according to court documents.

The second victim was a high school student from 2009 to 2013. She joined the girl’s rowing team as well during her sophomore year and also was coached by Shipley. He was her history teacher at the time as well, according to court documents. 

Shipley sexually assaulted the second victim in July of 2013, when Shipley was 39 and the victim was 17 years old.

Parties agreed to suggest the maximum 10-year sentence for the charges with a minimum of three years of supervised release. Shipley must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The defendant is currently released on personal recognizance, according to the DC Courts website.

Shipley is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9.