APS Substitute Teacher Timothy McGhee Arrested for Stalking and Inappropriate Sexual Relationship with Student
Timothy McGhee, a 47-year-old Arlington Public Schools substitute teacher, was arrested for allegedly initiating an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile female student at Washington-Liberty High School. The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit investigated the case and believed there could be additional victims.
Key Facts
Timeline of Events
Every date and fact below is cited to its source. Click the bracketed links to verify.
McGhee employed at Washington-Liberty High School
Timothy McGhee, 47, was employed by Arlington Public Schools and worked at Washington-Liberty High School, where he had access to and contact with students.
Inappropriate sexual relationship with juvenile student
McGhee allegedly initiated an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile female student at Washington-Liberty High School. The relationship involved stalking and taking indecent liberties with the student, who was a minor entrusted to the care of the school system.
McGhee arrested; Special Victims Unit investigates
McGhee was arrested by the Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit on charges related to stalking and taking liberties with the juvenile student. The investigation was handled by the specialized unit dedicated to crimes involving vulnerable victims.
Police warn of possible additional victims
Following the arrest, the Arlington County Police Department indicated that they believed there could be additional victims. Police urged anyone with information about McGhee’s conduct to contact the Special Victims Unit.
McGhee indicted by Arlington grand jury
An Arlington County grand jury indicted McGhee on one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor. The initial stalking charge was not included in the indictment.
Trial ends in mistrial; retrial pending
After a three-day trial, the jury deadlocked 8-4 and Chief Circuit Court Judge Judith L. Wheat declared a mistrial. The Commonwealth’s Attorney stated “every intention of retrying the case.”
What Went Wrong
Employee Access to Students
A 47-year-old school employee was able to initiate and maintain an inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile student at Washington-Liberty High School. Whatever safeguards existed to prevent employee-student predatory relationships failed.
Detection Failure
The inappropriate relationship was not detected or stopped by school administrators or other staff before it escalated to the point of criminal charges, raising questions about oversight of employee-student interactions.
Possible Additional Victims
Police believed there could be more victims beyond the known juvenile student, suggesting a potential pattern of predatory behavior that went undetected by APS.
Pattern at Washington-Liberty
This is the second incident involving Washington-Liberty High School facilities on this site — a registered sex offender also exposed himself to girls in the school's pool locker rooms. The school appears to have systemic safety gaps.
All Sources
Every fact on this page is sourced from the following reporting. We encourage you to read the original articles and verify every claim.
Students must be safe from predators in their own schools.
A 47-year-old school employee preyed on a juvenile student at Washington-Liberty High School. Police believe there may be more victims. How did this go undetected?
Related Incidents
Sex Offender in Washington-Liberty HS Locker Rooms
A registered sex offender exposed himself to girls in female locker rooms at school pool facilities. Arlington initially defended its facilities policy.
Adult Illegal Alien Gropes 12+ Girls at Fairfax High
Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz, an 18-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was enrolled as a junior and serially groped approximately 12 female students over months. Charged with misdemeanors. County refused ICE detainer.
Osbourn Park HS Bathroom Assault & MS-13 Recruitment
A student was sexually assaulted in a bathroom by an individual in an animal mask. Three students were separately charged for MS-13 recruitment at the same school.