Grand jury indicts ex-school worker

A grand jury on Tuesday indicted a former facilities management employee of the Albemarle County schools, accusing him of using text messages to entice a Nelson County teenager to have sex with him.
Richard Louin Deane, 45, of Louisa, is scheduled to have a jury trial on the felony charge July 22, according to Phillip D. Payne IV, Nelson County’s commonwealth’s attorney.
Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks said Deane knew the 17-year-old student through her mother, who also worked for the Albemarle school division.
“My understanding is he used a computer to send text messages to her cell phone,” Brooks said. “It was pretty sexually explicit.”
The Daily Progress’ request for the text message records under the Freedom of Information Act was denied by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday because the case is active. Authorities said releasing the records might prejudice future actions.
Authorities became aware of the text messages, which they say were sent in August 2007, through a school resource officer. Brooks said the text message records were seized, but Deane’s computer was not.
Deane was the assistant director for facilities management for six of his 19 years with the division, said Lee Catlin, Albemarle County’s spokeswoman. According to the county’s job description, Deane was responsible for supervising the maintenance of the division’s buildings and equipment.
Based on his job description, it does not appear Deane had regular contact with students.
Catlin confirmed that Deane resigned Dec. 20, the same day he was arrested.
“I can’t comment on whether there were complaints against him involving students,” Catlin said.
If Deane is convicted of the felony charge, he faces up to 10 years in prison.