The U.S. Department of Justice reported a former school teacher was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing elementary school students on a U.S. military installation in Germany.
Stefan Zappey was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing four elementary school children on a U.S. military base in Germany between 2006 and 2010, according to a May 2 news release.
“The successful prosecution of Stefan Zappey demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting U.S. citizens who prey on young and vulnerable children regardless of where and when the crimes occurred," U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Kenneth A. Polite Jr. said in the release.
One of Zappey's former students came forward in 2020 and reported Army criminal investigators Zappey touched her under her clothing in 2009 and 2010 while she was a student, the release reported. The investigation revealed he sexually abused four of his students on multiple occasions.
"Zappey’s offenses are especially egregious because he was entrusted with teaching the children of our brave service members overseas," Polite added, according to the release. "The courage of the victims and the perseverance of investigators and prosecutors ensured that Zappey’s offenses were exposed and will prevent him from abusing even more children.”
At the time of the assaults, Zappey worked as a first- through third-grade teacher in a German primary school, the release reported. The institution is a part of the Department of Defense Education Activity, which provides educational services to family members of Americans serving overseas.
“Zappey abused a position of trust as an elementary school teacher and sexually abused multiple students," U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, for the Northern District of Georgia, said in the release. "His crimes were horrific, and the community is safer now that he no longer has access to children.”
Assistant Director Luis Quesada, of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, said the FBI is dedicated "to protecting children from those who seek to exploit their innocence. The FBI and our partners remain committed to pursuing justice for our most innocent victims and those who are unable to defend themselves,” the release reported.
