Kansas: Former High School Teacher Arrested for Relationship with Student from 2001

LAWRENCE, KS - A 62-year-old former high school teacher from Indiana was arrested earlier in June after authorities allege the individual had engaged in an illicit relationship with a 15-year-old in the state of Kansas over 25 years ago while the suspect was in his mid-thirties.

The Lawrence, Kansas Police Department (LKPD) issued a press release on social media detailing the arrest of 62-year-old John Lotz from Terre Haute, Indiana, who stands accused of having engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor while he was teaching high school in Lawrence, Kansas, between 1999 and 2001.

Lotz was taken into custody on June 2 after authorities reportedly interviewed him at his Terre Haute home, alleging in their press release that the “investigation revealed that during his time as a high school teacher in Lawrence, he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old. Lotz was in his mid-30's at the time.”

Local authorities admitted the details behind the criminal allegations are “vague” but emphasized the lack of shared information is an effort to “protect the identity of the victim.” Kansas-based ABC affiliate KMBC afforded additional insight into the case, noting the victim was a female who claimed the illicit acts occurred between February and April of 2001.

The unnamed victim reportedly contacted police in December 2025 with the allegations against Lotz, apparently telling police that she was not one of his students but the two had begun interacting via online chatrooms before meeting in person.

Following the end of the 2001 school year in Lawrence, Lotz reportedly relocated and continued his career in education, most recently serving as the Assistant Director of Business Engagement at Indiana State University. The university issued a statement regarding Lotz’s arrest, saying they’re “aware” of the allegations but will not be commenting further.

Lotz is currently charged with a single felony count of indecent liberties with a child (intercourse) and is being held at the Douglas County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Law enforcement officials are urging members of the public to come forward with any information that can assist investigators working on the case, directing would-be tipsters to the LKPD’s non-emergency dispatch line at 785-843-0250 or through Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at 785-843-8477.