Heather Hare, a former Bryant High School teacher, pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines for unlawful sexual activity, according to a recent announcement made by United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross. The 33-year-old Conway teacher entered his plea before United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
The charges stem from an investigation into Hare’s activities, which revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation. Hare, who taught Family Consumer Science classes, contacted the minor victim on the first day of his senior year. She then participated in one-on-one counseling sessions, providing her personal phone number and primarily communicating via Instagram and Snapchat.
The investigation revealed a disturbing sequence of events, including Hare sharing her home address with the minor victim. During the 2021-2022 school year, the illicit relationship resulted in approximately 20 to 30 instances of sexual activity in a variety of locations, including her Conway home, vehicle, and even Bryant High School.
The revelation that the illegal sexual activity continued during a Hare-sponsored and chaperoned field trip to Washington, D.C. was especially disturbing. The field trip included four students, with the minor victim being the only male participant. Hare’s guilty plea includes the events that occurred between April 21 and April 24, 2022.
United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “This former teacher took advantage of her position of trust and the vulnerability of a minor, using her role to entice and lure this minor into engaging in unlawful sexual activity.” Ross affirmed the commitment to pursuing significant penalties against any educational professional who sexually abuses their students.
Heather Hare was indicted on August 1, 2023, for interstate/foreign travel for prostitution/sexual activity by coercion and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. One of the charges was dismissed as part of her guilty plea.
The FBI and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant. Hare is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date by Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
