Former dance coach pleads guilty to sexual abuse of a male student

Aultman sentenced to six years of probation

Aultman
Aultman

A former Texarkana, Ark., School District teacher and dance coach pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 16-year-old male student Tuesday in exchange for a six-year term of probation.

Julie Gross Aultman, 43, appeared before Miller County Circuit Judge Carlton Jones with Texarkana lawyer Jason Horton for a hearing Tuesday morning at the Miller County jail complex. Aultman pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree sexual assault and must register as a sex offender. A charge of second-degree sexual assault alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 2016 and Feb. 29, 2016, was dismissed by Jones at the request of Special Prosecutor Jack McQuary.

Documents filed Tuesday in Aultman's case state that she engaged in sexual activity with the student March 1, 2016, and abused her position of trust and authority over the boy. Aultman's felony conviction and status as a sex offender prevent her from working for a public school system in the future. As a condition of her probation, Aultman is prohibited from having contact with the victim or his family.

Horton thanked McQuary and the court for their "professionalism" in handling the case.

"There are risks associated with every trial," Horton said. "Ms. Aultman weighed those risks, taking into account the toll a trial would take on all parties involved, and ultimately chose to accept responsibility."

Aultman was arrested in April 2016 and released on bail. Later that month, Stephanie Black, the elected prosecuting attorney for the 8th Judicial District South, filed a motion seeking appointment of a special prosecutor and stating Aultman is a "close personal friend." The 8th Judicial District South serves Miller and Lafayette counties. Aultman's husband is a certified Texas law enforcement officer.

Black's motion, filed April 20, urges appointment of an outside prosecutor "in the interest of justice and to avoid any appearance of impropriety." Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson granted Black's motion and signed an order giving the Arkansas Office of the Prosecutor Coordinator the authority to select a prosecutor for Aultman's case and McQuary was given the job. McQuary filed a motion in early May asking that the case be sealed and records relating to it shielded from the public and Jones granted the motion. Records in other cases involving teachers accused of sexual misconduct have not been sealed.

Aultman worked for Texarkana, Ark., School District from Aug. 15, 2006, until she resigned March 15, according to information provided by TASD. During her tenure with TASD, Aultman worked as a dance teacher, eighth-grade cheer sponsor, ninth-grade cheer sponsor, Redline drill team sponsor and junior high drill team sponsor. Aultman's duties with the district included teaching dance at College Hill Middle School from 2006 to 2013 and teaching dance from 2014 to 2016 at North Heights Junior High School. Aultman held a stipend position as Redline sponsor for Arkansas High School from October 2014 to the date of her resignation in March. Aultman held stipend positions as drill team sponsor for North Heights JHS from August 2014 to 2015, AHS ninth-grade cheer sponsor from August 2014 to 2015, and North Heights JHS eighth-grade cheer sponsor from August 2013 to 2014.

In addition to sex offender registration and the six-year term of probation, Aultman was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and $770 in various court fees.

[email protected]

Upcoming Events