WASHBURN – A former teacher at Washburn Public School was sentenced to the maximum of five years in the State Penitentiary at his sentencing hearing Monday.
On December 7, 2022, Joshua Eddy was arrested and charged with four counts of C felonies, two of Sexual Assault, Corruption or Solicitation of Minors, and Luring minors by computer. On January 18, 2023, he pled “not guilty” to all four charges but amended his plea to “guilty” on all four counts on March 20, 2023.
Eddy, 33, had been employed at the Washburn Public School for nearly 10 years before the allegations surfaced that he was having sexual relations with a 15-year-old student. According to an affidavit filed with the court, such encounters included Eddy driving the student to Washburn Public School after school hours.
McLean County Sheriff’s Department investigators say Eddy does not have any prior criminal history. Sentencing took place in front of Burleigh County Judge James Hill.
In addition to the five-year sentence for sexual assault, Eddy received three-year sentences each for a second count of Sexual Assault, Corruption or Solicitation of Minors, and Luring Minors by Computer, sentences that will run concurrently. Eddy also received five years of probation and must register as a sex offender. He was given 115 days credit for time already served in jail.
