Teacher Accused Of Sex Assault, Trying To Hypnotize Girls

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook  | Twitter

HUMMELSTOWN, Pa. (CBS/AP) — A third-grade teacher is accused of sexually assaulting a girl at a Pennsylvania elementary school and police say he tried to hypnotize others and make them vow to obey him.

James Mentzer, of Hummelstown, was charged Thursday with institutional sexual assault, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor and five counts of corruption of minors. Police began investigating him in February, and Mentzer was put on leave from East Hanover Elementary School.

Police say Mentzer requested each girl — ranging in age from 8 to 11 —come to his classroom to record videos for an alleged project.

Police say Mentzer videotaped them reading and attempted to hypnotize them.

One victim told police he made her repeat the phrase "I will obey you, Master" as he swung a necklace in front of her eyes.

No attorney information is available in online court documents.

According to the Lower Dauphin School District, Mentzer remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

"Should the outcome of those proceedings meet the standards contained within the School Code, or should Mr. Mentzer no longer possess the credentials of a professional educator, the District will take appropriate actions to address his employment with the District, up to and including termination as may be required by law," said the school district in a statement.

Mentzer has been an elementary school teacher with Lower Dauphin full-time since 2003.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)