Principal charged in 13 sex crimes

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The 42-year-old principal of Vicksburg Middle School was arraigned Tuesday afternoon for 13 felonies related to his alleged sexual relationship with a teenage boy from the school.

Greg Tibbetts was placed on administrative leave September 25 from the school. He has been there nine years.

Tibbetts was allegedly involved in a sexual relationship with a young boy during the course of a few years, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office told 24 Hour News 8. The alleged victim told another adult what was happening, which started the investigation.

Tibbetts pleaded not guilty to these 13 charges:

• One count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct
• One count of using a computer to solicit another to commit child sexually abusive material
• One count of using a computer program to solicit another to engage in distributing sexually explicit matters involving children
• One count of knowingly exhibiting sexually explicit material to a minor
• Four counts of using a computer to commit a crime (possessing child sexually abusive material)
• Five counts of possessing child sexually abusive material

The criminal complaint alleges the CSC happened in fall 2011 and the others in 2012. Vicksburg police first heard about this when a family member of the victim saw text messages on the victim's phone and called police.

"He self-surrendered today," said Tibbetts' attorney Mike Hills on Tuesday. "He's not guilty. I think it's important for everyone to realize a person is innocent until proven guilty, and he's innocent right now."

Hills knows this is a high-profile case, and he said that attention has already weighed on Tibbetts.

"Just the accusation is life-altering, so it's a difficult time for him and his family," he said.

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Fink thinks the impact will be felt far beyond that.

"It's an impact on a school system, the members of the community, his family, the victim's family," Fink said. "It will have ongoing impacts beyond that, as well."

Vicksburg Community Schools Superintendent Charles Glaes sent a letter to parents on Monday with the information after they were notified by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office that charges were imminent against Tibbetts.

Tibbetts has three children, ages 16, 13 and 8. Outside of those children, he's been ordered to not have contact with anyone under the age of 16.

His bond was set at $10,000. His preliminary exam on the charges is scheduled for Nov. 8.