KANSAS CITY, Mo. — James Loganbill, a former Olathe school teacher, appeared before a judge Wednesday afternoon to learn two things: whether he will spend time behind bars, and whether he will be required to register as a sex offender.
He was convicted of stalking his then 10-year-old student.
At the time of the crime, stalking was only a misdemeanor under the Kansas stalking statute, and the maximum Loganbill could be sentenced to is a year in prison.
Wednesday, the judge imposed that full sentence on Loganbill.
The judge also decided the stalking was sexually motivated. Because of that, he ordered Loganbill to register as a sex offender for the next 15 years.
The last time both parties were in court, an Olathe police detective testified he believed the crime was sexually motivated, noting Loganbill had more than 200 pictures and videos of Addalyn Antonucci, focused on her buttocks.
"I found that very concerning. I mean, if I'd seen pictures of her face or something else — that would seem more innocent," Detective William King said.
King also shared that Loganbill conducted online searches that included directions to the girl's dance studio, searching for her various dance competitions, and checking to see if she or her mom had social media accounts. The detective also noted Loganbill had searched for "teacher and student" and "cheerleader" themed pornography online.
The former teacher admitted he was sexually attracted to his student, but shared through his attorney he never meant for her to know and regretted hurting her.
"He specifically asked me to say, he hopes this young lady is going to do well, that she will get better, and that he is extremely, extremely sorry for what’s happened," Loganbill's attorney Carl Cornwell said after the guilty verdict was handed down in September.
In court Wednesday, the judge addressed Loganbill directly, telling him he stole innocence from more than just one victim.
"Mr. Loganbill, there may have been technically one victim in this particular case. Your actions victimized multiple young girls and their families, and perhaps even the whole community of families who trust schools and teachers with the safety of their children. You are a stalker for sure, but you were also a thief who stole innocence from these children," Judge Thomas Sutherland said.
The Antonucci family said they were relieved after Loganbill's sentencing.
"I think we’re all going to sleep a little bit better knowing that he’s behind bars tonight," her mother, Kristyn Antonucci, said.
The family also credited Addalyn for her bravery testifying as well as her classmates who took the stand to share with the judge how they were the first to spot their teacher taking pictures of their friend.
"Words can’t even describe. Very, very proud, very proud of the girls. Just everyone involved who’s been with us through this, we just appreciate everybody’s support," Anthony Antonucci said.
The family has also turned this painful experience into a positive, teaching their daughter that her voice matters, as they've fought for and successfully changed the stalking statute, now making it a felony to stalk a minor.
"This man used my daughter's body and looks and made this child into a sexual object," Kristyn Antonucci said. "Today we stand united with all victims of James Loganbill as well as other children who had their innocence taken at the hands of a predator."
The bill also closed what supporters deemed a loophole in how stalking is defined.
Initially, Cornwell had argued the way the statute was previously written, a victim had to know they were being stalked and be placed in immediate fear. Cornwell maintained because the young girl didn't know about her teacher's behavior at the time, she wasn't afraid, and so, the behavior couldn't be considered stalking.
Ultimately, the judge disagreed.
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Note: While KSHB 41 News doesn't typically identify minor victims, we are doing so with the family's permission, as they see the success of the guilty verdict and their ability to change the Kansas stalking statute as a healing and empowering moment for their daughter.
