Two now-former Chesterfield teachers facing dozens of child sex abuse charges

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (WRIC) -- Two now-former Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers -- one of whom was previously accused of taking photos of a juvenile in a Colonial Heights movie theater's restroom -- are facing more than 40 child sex abuse charges combined as of Friday.

At about 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, officers with the Colonial Heights Police Department were called to the Regal Cinemas at 300 Southpark Circle for report of a person taking photos of a juvenile in a restroom.

According to police, 49-year-old Shaun Jason Adams of Petersburg -- who, at the time, was a teacher at Elizabeth Davis Middle School -- was arrested and charged with one count of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in connection with this incident.

Police executed a search warrant on Adams' residence and, at the time of the Regal Cinemas incident, said additional charges were possible as the investigation continued.

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On Friday, Aug. 22, Colonial Heights detectives hit Adams with 30 new child sex abuse charges. This includes:

• 25 counts of felony manufacturing of CSAM
• 5 felony counts of indecent liberties with a child

Additionally, a second suspect was arrested in connection with this investigation. According to police, 33-year-old Richard Franklin Troshak, III of Chesterfield was arrested at his workplace, the Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy.

Troshak faces 10 total charges: eight counts of felony manufacturing of CSAM and two felony counts of indecent liberties with a child.

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Shortly after police shared this news, CCPS superintendent John Murray issued a statement that he called the "most difficult message [he has] shared, both as a superintendent and as a dad."

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"This news is deeply disturbing and strikes at the heart of our responsibility to protect children," Murray said. "I recognize the range of emotions and concerns this raises. The safety and well-being of our students is my highest priority."

To that end, Murray said the following actions have or are being taken in the wake of these accusations:

• Adams and Troshak are to be immediately terminated
• Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy's principal and assistant principal have both been placed on leave and an interim principal has been placed at the school
• A joint investigation with the Chesterfield Police Department and Child Protective Services has been requested
• CCPS is to review all employees at Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, with a focus on any suspected child abuse

Murray also shared the following statement reportedly provided to him by Chesterfield's Chief of Police, Col. Frank Carpenter:

"The Chesterfield County Police Department has already begun its investigation and urges anyone with information to contact police immediately. We are committed to protecting the vulnerable in our community, and we will work with our local, state, and school partners to thoroughly investigate, leaving no stone unturned and bringing any and all perpetrators to justice."

Both Adams and Troshak are being held at Riverside Regional Jail without bond pending their next court appearance.

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If you have any information on these crimes, you are asked to contact the Colonial Heights Police Department's Senior Detective M. N. Davis at 804-898-3066.

You can also contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at 804-748-1251.