FRESNO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE ARRESTED ON SEX CRIMES CHARGES

Terry McCoy, 43, was arrested after he confessed to having lewd and lascivious acts with a teenage victim, who was under 14 years old at the time. The victim came forward with the sexual assault allegations and McCoy did not dispute.

McCoy befriended the student at the school where he worked as a Noon-Time Aide. He was employed by the school for nearly 20 years. He also worked as a group home counselor and a coach for various sports. Authorities say that McCoy’s family and the victim’s family became acquainted over the years, and the abuse stemmed from the initial friendship.

The primary concern with McCoy’s employment is his constant access to children. Investigators are currently extensively probing other areas of McCoy’s employment to determine if there were any more victims.

McCoy was placed on administrative leave by the Fresno Unified district.

The DTLA Law Group is currently asking any victims who have suffered harm from TERRY DEVON MCCOY to come forward. All communications are confidential. No personal information, case details, or other pieces of evidence will be shared with any other party. Our goal is to ensure that you, your child, or your family is appropriately compensated for these heinous acts.

Sexual assault victims often have trouble coming forward, whether to family members, authorities, school officials, or even friends. They are often confused and assume some of the blame for the event; the abusers often coax them into believing nothing is wrong, or they make the victims carry large amounts of guilt for the incidents. It is extremely important that sexual assault victims, especially minors, understand that they are not at fault for these incidents.

There are hotlines and safe spaces for victims to come forward. We believe that all victims should be believed and should be treated fairly. No individual, minor or otherwise, should suffer sexual assault at the hands of another, especially someone in a position of power who is seemingly trusted by peers and other authority figures.

First and foremost, the abuser is completely liable for harms and damages that occurred to the victim. McCoy’s estate can pay for the various damages. In the event that the estate cannot adequately cover the losses and expenses, we will pursue additional options.

Secondary to McCoy is the school district, group home, or other institution where he worked. The primary concern should be total protection and safety of the students. When students are placed in jeopardy or are in harm’s way, there is a level of responsibility that the school district holds. They should always provide ample routes for students to come forward, for one. Additionally, there should be ample screening and background checks conducted on all individuals. If any complaints are issued, the targeted individual should be turned over to police, as internal investigations are not often fair. Many times, school districts will keep these occurrences quiet so as to avoid negative press and to avoid potential lawsuits.

If you or your child was abused in school by McCoy or any other individual, we are here for you. The school district can be held accountable and the abuser can be held liable. We will ensure that all parties involved are appropriately punished.

Sexual assault claims are forms of assault and battery. There are many forms of sexual assault, which can include groping, kissing, unwanted touching, hugs, unwarranted sexual advances, sexually explicit photos and videos, sexually suggestive messages and statements, requests for sex, and rape. No matter what kind of assault you suffered, you are entitled to fair treatment and to justice.

Our law firm will take your statements and gather evidence. We will interview various parties potentially involved, determine liability, and hire expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. We will ensure that your medical records are used to show any injuries you suffered, and if there are videos or pictures illustrating the mistreatment, we will add them to your claim. Schools should hand over video and security footage in such scenarios.

If there were any eyewitnesses or other individuals who can testify to the assault or abuse, we will ensure that their testimonies are added to your case. Supporting statements can greatly benefit your case.

Our attorneys know that a sexual assault claim, especially one involving a school figure, can be very troublesome to file. You may not have the legal experience, knowledge, time, money, or emotional capability to move forward. You should focus on recovering, dealing with the stress, or returning to a normal life while we handle the case for you.

We will seek full coverage for damages stemming from any sexual abuse you suffered at the hands of McCoy or other abusers. We will not stop until you are fully covered for any damages. Our expert attorneys will pursue the following forms of compensation:

• Medical bills from the past and future for hospitalization, treatments, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more
• Lost income from time you could not work, if you were employed
• Property damage if anything you owned was stolen, lost, or broken
• Pain and suffering damages for emotional anxiety, trauma, PTSD, psychological stress, and more
• Therapy sessions to overcome any mental trauma
• Punitive damages, which are handed out in times of gross negligence or intentional harm, but are often viewed as excessive by courts; only a skilled lawyer will be able to secure them for your lawsuit