A St. Helens High School choir teacher jailed for alleged sexual abuse against students is facing new charges, and his request for bail was denied Monday.
The outside of St. Helens High School on Nov. 15, 2024.
Joni Land / OPB
Court records show Eric Stearns, 47, is now facing 29 counts of sexual abuse, 26 of which are felony charges. An amended indictment against him now includes 16 total victims.
The alleged abuse happened between 2015 and the current school year.
The new charges come as the St. Helens Police Department continues investigating a crisis of widespread sexual abuse against students at St. Helens High School.
Related: Sexual abuse allegations, arrests and investigations at St. Helens School District
Stearns had posted bail following his initial arrest in November. But he turned himself in and has remained in Columbia County Jail since additional charges were added in January.
He is expected to appear in court again in June.
Detectives believe there could be more victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with additional information about Stearns is asked to call St. Helens police at 503-397-1521.
