Valley male teacher accused of molesting students arrested

This morning Deputy U.S. Marshals in Oklahoma captured accused child molester Bobby Kennedy, 29, at a residence in Lawton, OK.

Deputy U.S. Marshals began hunting for Kennedy in March 2006, at the request of the Apache Junction Police Department. The U.S. Marshals and the Apache Junction Police Department Criminal Investigation Division continued to work together developing leads regarding the whereabouts of Kennedy. Recently, Deputy U.S. Marshals from Phoenix developed significant information that Kennedy was residing in Lawton, OK with his wife and small child. This information was relayed to Deputies in Oklahoma who immediately established surveillance on the residence and arrested Kennedy a short time later.

In 2005 an arrest warrant was issued by the Pinal County Superior Court after Kennedy failed to appear for a court hearing. Kennedy, who was employed as a teacher and youth pastor at the Morning Star Academy Charter School, had been arrested by the Apache Junction Police Department after allegations were made that he molested students at the Morning Star Academy. Kennedy was subsequently released on bond and was believed to have fled the Phoenix area shortly thereafter. During the course of the fugitive investigation Deputies were able to determine that Kennedy had fled to southern California before rejoining his wife and child, at which time they moved to Lawton, OK.

United States Marshal David Gonzales praised the work of Deputies and law enforcement officers adding, "The U.S. Marshals, as well as our state and local partners, will continue to use every available resource to hunt down those who prey upon our children."

Investigators from the Apache Junction Police Department are coordinating with the U.S. Marshals regarding additional investigative leads, and will be pursuing additional charges on co-conspirators.

This arrest was a direct result of the investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals, Apache Junction Police Department, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.