The woman spoke of how she still deals with the feelings of abuse and manipulation she suffered from an assistant debate coach while she was a student at Chesterton High School and in the years afterward.
“The shame, betrayal and confusion have stayed with me for years,” the woman said via video feed in Porter Superior Court 2 Friday morning. She said she finds it difficult to trust people and is being treated for PTSD.
She was given the opportunity to make her victim impact statement during the sentencing of Dakota McCoy, the former debate coach and English teacher at Chesterton High School.
McCoy, 33, pleaded guilty to charges of child seduction and obstruction of justice. A Chesterton Police investigation in September 2023 resulted in charges against McCoy for his actions involving the then-student from 2016 through 2018. He was immediately fired as an English teacher after his arrest.
Judge Jeffrey Clymer sentenced McCoy to 5 years on the child seduction charge, but suspended 3 1/2 years to be served on probation. For the obstruction of justice charge, McCoy received 1 year with 6 months suspended. As a result, McCoy has a two-year sentence with the Indiana Department of Correction.
In addition, McCoy will be registered as a sex offender, is prohibited from being employed as a teacher or even being around a school, must perform 240 hours of community service, and participate in the Project Pro program. McCoy is also prohibited from contact with the woman victim.
Ken Elwood, McCoy’s attorney, had asked that his client not serve any jail time, while the Porter County Prosecutor’s office wanted him to serve 4 years of prison time.
The victim had asked for the maximum sentence to be imposed.
“This case isn’t just about me, it’s about protecting other students,” the woman said. “I know I am not the only victim. I am the only victim who came forward.”
In January 2021, the Chesterton High School administration had become aware of allegations that McCoy had taken sexual advantage of the woman.
Deputy Porter County Prosecutor Mary Ryan said how the Duneland administration handled the investigation then “is a tragedy in and of itself.”
Rather than interviewing the victim, McCoy was brought in first to be interviewed and he denied the allegations.
Before the Chesterton High School assistant principal could talk to the woman, who was then a college student, McCoy talked to the victim and convinced her to deny that they had a relationship, the court record shows.
But then, in June 2022, the woman recorded a conversation with McCoy where she confronted him. “Yeah, I really don’t have an argument with what you’re saying, I’ve felt a sense of guilt and shame…I should have known better. I don’t have any kind of excuse,” McCoy said, according to court records.
McCoy reiterated in court Friday: “What I did 10 years ago was wrong, and I know it.”
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When he became a volunteer debate coach, McCoy said he was 23 and had not set proper boundaries. He apologized to the victim.
“None of this is your fault,” McCoy said.
McCoy said he suffers from depression and regrets that he will never be able to teach again.
“I want to rebuild my future,” McCoy said, noting that he would accept whatever the judge decided.
McCoy was immediately handcuffed at the close of the hearing, as his next destination is the Indiana Department of Correction.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.