Recordpub.com - Ex-Ravenna teacher faces sex charges Arrested for soliciting police officer pretending to be 12-year-old

By Dorothy Markulis

Hudson Hub-Times reporter

HUDSON -- A former Ravenna teacher has been indicted 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 a teacher at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson when he was indicted. He has since resigned from the school. He also previously taught at Hudson High School.

Kaplan taught at Brown Junior High School in Ravenna in the early 1970s and at Ravenna High School in the early 1980s for a total of 13 years.

He was indicted after an investigation by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Kaplan allegedly was engaged in computer conversations from May 10 to Aug. 21 with who he believed was a 12-year-old girl, but actually was a member of the task force, according to a press release issued by the prosecutor's office.

He was indicted this week 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.

Russell Morrison, Western Reserve Academy spokesman, 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. In 1999, Kaplan was awarded the Parents Chair for Distinguished Teaching after being appointed dean of faculty in 1994.

The prosecutor's office said Kaplan was arrested Aug. 23. Search warrants were executed at his home and office, which are both on campus.

"This indictment should remind all parents that there are predators online who have direct access to their children," Mason said.

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 Hudson Hub Times is a sister newspaper of the Record-Courier.

9.	Posted by s.swenson September 1, 2007
	It's sad but true but children today have to be talked to "prior" to an incident occuring, that way they are armed with how to handle a situation. A friend of mines child was approached by a familiar much older child and the young boy told the older boy, my parents told me that is not good behavior, it was enough to spook the l8 year old and an incident was avoided. Sad but true we have to take away the illusion of childhood and arm our children with information for them to better react. I have my childrens email passwords, and 3 times in the last year I have went in on rare occasions and just looked at some random samples. My children know I have the ability to do this and it's for their benefit. I could care less about the typical teenage crushes, teacher bashing, heck even strong words of anger written about me while grounded, what I'm lookin for is someone who takes advantage of their youth and innocence. If my children don't like this they can go use the free computer at the public library. My house, my rules, my children my gifts to protect for as long as I can. LOCK ALL THE CHILD PREDATORS UP! Put them in with the guys waiting on death row, they have nothing to loose.....o'tay that was wishful thinking on my part!

4.	Posted by NoKoolAid September 1, 2007
	Unfortunately these sickos are drawn to children, thus they seek out jobs working with our kids and they're pros at making people comfortable around them. OhioGal is right, we have to be vigilant and stay involved in the schools and keep open lines of communication with our children. I can't tell you how important it is for parents to make sure children feel comfortable talking to them. It's the last line of defense against these predators... Past behavior is the best indication of future results. That's why we have to look for patterns in behavior and not ignore the signs because someone is a "nice person." This means educators administrators parents and even students (and voters too). Get ready for the list of kids coming out and saying this guy offended them... I hope it's not the case, but you know the drill with these pigs...

3.	Posted by s.swenson September 1, 2007
	The news said this man was a father, a husband, a grandfather and of course a teacher. It's a shame that one can't restrain themself from inappropriate behavior. Our children are faced with so much more "information" into their lives these days, the good the bad and the ugly of todays technology rears its ugly head once again. I'd like to ask that the HECK was he thinking? Thank goodness this was a sting and not one of our children. It may come out that he did solicit other real children, which will only make it more heartwrenching. I hope he lives with the shame every day for the rest of his life. Now to face his wife, his children and the community. What a way to end a career. Throw away everything you worked for over self gratification. Another reminder to parents to keep their eyes close upon their children. Cell phones, texts, computers with all their programs, kids do get lured by these pervs and we need to be more vigilant then ever. I'd disgusted even more as I had this so called man for a teacher in my own youth, well so far 2 of the handful of weirdo teachers that taught at Brown in the 70's have now been called out on the carpet in public. Jerry Jividen was jailed for l80 days in Cleveland for fondling a student he was tutoring. As parents we have to talk to our children without making them fear the good educators that do dedicate themselves to the morals of the profession.