On Monday, October 24, Kirk Ashton, former principal of Hilton’s Northwood Elementary School, was found guilty of the majority of criminal charges brought against him after allegations that he sexually abused students.
Ashton was arrested in April of 2021, accused of sexually abusing more than 20 male students between 2014 and 2021. He was charged with 11 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, 17 counts of course of sexual conduct against a child, and 18 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. A jury found him guilty on 46 of the 50 counts brought against him. He was acquitted of two counts of course of sexual conduct against a child and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Several students, parents, teachers, and school staff members were among those who testified during the three-week trial.
“Kirk Ashton deliberately used his position of power to prey on the endless supply of little boys at Northwood Elementary School,” Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Sara Vanstrydonck said in a statement. “He is a vile predator who deserves today’s convictions for the harm he has caused these young victims. He hand selected just boys, but after what we saw the last three weeks they were not just boys – they were brave boys who came into court and testified to their principal’s predatory behavior. I am in awe of the victims who had the strength and courage to face their abuser in court and are ultimately responsible for today’s conviction.”
Per the New York State Department of Corrections, the charges for which Ashton was convicted carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 23, 2022.
The Hilton Central School District responded to the verdict in a statement sent to parents of students, saying: “The Hilton Central School District is grateful for today’s verdict and humbled by the courage and commitment of all who were victimized, including present and former students and their families. We thank the District Attorney’s office, New York State Police, and counselors at Bivona Child Advocacy Center for their sensitive and determined hard work to bring the facts to light in the pursuit of justice. Our Road to Recovery continues. Our entire professional staff remains focused on measures that will strengthen our policies and practices for observing, reporting and investigating concerns, with the common goal of keeping our children safe. We encourage the community’s continued feedback and involvement in our initiatives. To learn more about the Hilton Central School District’s Road to Recovery Sexual Abuse Prevention Action Plan, visit: http://Hilton.k12.ny.us/RoadtoRecovery.”
