photo by: Lawrence Police Department

John Lotz

The Lawrence Police Department is seeking additional information in a child sex crime case involving an Indiana man who was once a high school teacher in Lawrence.

John Matthew Lotz, 62, of Terre Haute, Indiana, was booked into the Douglas County Jail on June 2, as the Journal-World reported, on suspicion of having sexual intercourse with a teenager more than 25 years ago. He has been charged with one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

LPD’s investigation revealed that Lotz had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old during his time as a high school teacher at Lawrence High School in 2001. Lotz was in his mid-30s at the time. Lotz also previously worked as an educator at Free State High School, teaching in the Lawrence school district from 1999-2001.

He worked as a theater teacher at the time of the alleged offense, and the victim was not one of his students. The complaint against him alleges that the incident happened sometime between Feb. 1 and April 1, 2001.

Lotz later moved out to Lawrence to continue his educational career, and he has most recently served at the assistant director of business engagement at Indiana State University.

If people have any additional information to share regarding the case, contact non-emergency dispatch at 785-843-0250 or the Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County hotline at 785-843-TIPS.

The charge against Lotz could result in a sentence of between 55 months in prison, or about 4 1/2 years, and 247 months, or more than 20 years, and a fine of up to $300,000 if he were convicted.

Lotz is being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $100,000 bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for June 30.