Crime & Safety

Rockwood School Ex-Teacher Accused of Rape; Surprised By Arrest

Teacher taught science, coached, at five or six districts in St. Louis County.

A former St. Louis County high school teacher accused of raping a student in the mid-1970s apparently approached police because he thought he could not be charged in the case, Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCullough said.

Donald Ingerson, 67, is charged with one count of rape and one count of second-degree statutory sodomy. He's being held in St. Louis County Jail on a $300,000 cash-only bond.

He taught at five or six school districts in St. Louis County beginning in the 1960s and continuing into the 1990s, McCullough said Tuesday during a news conference in Clayton.

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McCullough said school districts where the suspect worked have been notified and asked to contact police should additional victims come forward.

If you think you may have been the victim of a sexual crime, call St. Louis County detectives at 314-880-2341.

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Two victims, both students at the time of the incidents, have been identified so far, though McCullough said his work in similar cases leads him to think there are others.

Ingerson is suspected of having had multiple sexual encounters with both, McCullough said, the first between September 1974 and January 1976, and the second between Jan. 1, 1995 and Nov. 17, 1996.

McCullough said he thinks the encounters happened at different locations outside of school grounds.

Patch confirmed Ingerson's work history at these schools so far:

  • Ingerson was a science teacher atLafayette High School 1969-1971, according to Rockwood School District officials. He also served as an assistant coach for football, wrestling, baseball, track and field.
  • Ingerson taught at University City High School 1976-1981.
  • Ingerson worked at Kirkwood High School 1985-1987, according to a statement by Ginger Fletcher, spokesperson for the Kirkwood School District.
  • Ingerson was a science teacher 1987-2010 in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. He coached sports during that time, according to district officials. 

In early June, Ingerson called the to say he had something to discuss, McCullough said. He spoke with investigators.

Ingerson did not appear to realize that the statute of limitations had not expired, McCullough said.

Ingerson, who lives in Ely, MN, near the Canadian border, arrived in St. Louis on Sunday and repeated statements about the sexual encounters to police on Monday, McCullough said. At that time, McCullough said, Ingerson was arrested.

Both victims have been contacted and have been cooperative. Police previously had not heard of either the victims or Ingerson, McCullough said.

McCullough said Ingerson moved to Minnesota sometime after he retired from teaching.

The prosecutor did not name the school districts where the suspect worked.

Anyone with information about this case or person may contact the Prosecuting Attorney's office pa@stlouisco.com and 314-615-2600.


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