January 15, 2013
JROTC instructor faces sex abuse charges
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- An instructor for the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at George Washington High School was arrested this week on sexual abuse charges.

Martin Dale Kirby, 44, of Dunbar, was charged with sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, Cpl. B.D. Humphreys of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department said.

He was arrested Monday and was taken to the South Central Regional Jail. He later posted bail and was freed.

The alleged victim said she had sexual contact with Kirby more than once in September 2010 at the school. Kirby admitted to having sex with the student, Humphreys said.

Kirby was arrested by detectives with the Kanawha Bureau of Investigation, who investigated the case along with agents from the FBI's Cyber Crimes Task Force.

Police want anyone with information about the case to call Detective D.A. Scurlock, at 304-357-4670.

Kirby had served as a sergeant major in the U.S. Army before joining the school as an instructor. He teaches eight JROTC and learning skills classes, according to the school's website. The alleged victim had been a student in his class.

Humphreys said he couldn't say when deputies became aware of the abuse or if the alleged victim still attends the school.

Kanawha County school board President Pete Thaw said Tuesday night that he had not been aware of Kirby's arrest, but he assumes the county no longer employs him, which is usually the case when an instructor is charged with a crime.

Kirby is still listed in an online Kanawha County Schools employee database, which includes his annual salary of $53,735.

Reach Travis Crum at travis.c...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.

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