Former Highland High School teacher pleads guilty on two charges of sexual battery, sentenced to five years in prison

MEDINA — A former Highland High School teacher pleaded guilty Monday to two charges of sexual battery. Kyle Brooks, 55, of Akron, was sentenced to a five-year prison term on both counts, which are to be served concurrently. At the end of his sentencing hearing, Brooks was taken in handcuffs to the Medina County Jail by Sheriff's deputies. On April 21, Brooks was arrested by the Medina County Sheriff's Office after the department was notified about possible sexual conduct involving a student and detectives confirmed the information with the student in question. He later was arraigned on a sexual battery charge and held on a $200,000 bond. According to Medina County Common Pleas Judge Joyce Kimbler, the two charges state that Brooks engaged in sexual conduct with the victim while he was a teacher, administrator or coach at the school in which the victim was enrolled or attended. Both charges involve the same victim, with dates ranging from the beginning of January 2022 to April 2022. "Each of these counts (are) a felony of the third degree," Kimbler said. "Each one separately and independently carries with it a potential prison term of five years with a possible fine of up to $10,000 and it will require that you be registered as a tier-three sex offender." As a tier-three sex offender, Brooks will have to register every 90 days for the rest of his life. When moving, he must notify the respective sheriff's department and that locality will receive a notification. Brooks is prohibited from establishing or occupying a residence within 1,000 feet of any school, preschool or daycare premises. During the sentencing, Medina County Prosecutor Forrest Thompson said that Brooks held a position of trust in the community and degraded that trust through his misconduct. "Long after he has finished a prison term, this school and our districts will be working on maintaining and rebuilding that trust," Thompson said. The victim and her parents were present for both the plea change and sentencing, making their own statements involving the case. According to the victim, she has remained involved in the investigation and wanted to be present to have Brooks understand the effect of his actions. "Kyle Brooks, what you have done to me it's wrong," the victim said. "For a year, you broke down my mind in the process of not manipulation but, more appropriately, brainwashing." Later on in the sentencing, Brooks responded and apologized to the victim, her parents and the community. He said that he alone is responsible for the crime done. "I know that I was selfish," Brooks said. "I did not think about the harm, the incredible harm, it caused to the victim and the family and to my own family." Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.