Ozark teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with 17-year-old student

ROGERSVILLE, Mo. -- An Ozark High School teacher has been accused of inappropriate behavior with a student as well as giving her alcohol in an incident in 2024.

According to the probable cause statement, the 17-year-old victim reported that 52-year-old Richard Haney had supplied her with alcohol and inappropriately touched her at his home in Rogersville on Halloween in 2024.

The victim told authorities Haney drove her to his home and picked up alcohol along the way. While at Haney's residence, Haney fixed her multiple drinks and she began to feel intoxicated.

Later in the night, Haney offered her a massage after she complained about her back hurting. While massaging her, he removed clothes from the victim, kissed her without warning and tried to touch her inappropriately until she told him no, scaring Haney, according to court records.

Online court records state that Haney is charged with sexual contact with a student and supplying liquor to a minor.

The Ozark School District has not told OzarksFirst whether Haney remains employed, but he is not shown in the most recent staff directory.

State records state that Haney has been an ROTC teacher at Ozark High School since 2022.