Ashton pleads not guilty, cash bail set at $250,000
Gary Craig – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle USA TODAY NETWORK – in the D&C on 4/28/22 on page a3
Kirk Ashton, the suspended Northwood Elementary School principal accused of molesting 11 boys, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the criminal charges.
Ashton, 51, is jailed in Niagara County and appeared remotely at a hearing before Monroe County Court Judge Karen Bailey Turner.
Ashton allegedly molested boys on school grounds. The children were between the ages of 8 and 12, prosecutors allege. The allegations date from 2017 to the current school year.
Ashton was initially accused of abusing nine boys, then two more allegations came forward. Judge Bailey Turner Wednesday set Ashton’s cash bail at $250,000. It was originally $500,000, then lowered to $350,000 by another judge.
Assistant District Attorney Sara VanStrydonck asked that the bail not be lowered, contending that Ashton has more financial means than others who typically appear in criminal court. He is suspended and on paid leave, as required by law, and still collecting a salary of more than $150,000 a year.
Ashton’s wife has filed for divorce since his arrest.
Ashton’s attorney, Robert King, requested that bail be $175,000. He said his trial preparation could be difficult with Ashton jailed in Niagara County.
The investigation into the alleged sex abuse is ongoing.
Contact Gary Craig at gcraig@gannett.com