Big Brother Volunteer, Tulsa Union Teacher Accused Of Molestation Released From Jail

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A Big Brother volunteer accused of molesting a boy he mentored bonded out of jail Friday.  Curt Carson, a long-time Tulsa teacher, is on paid suspension.

Curt Carson is the second Big Brother volunteer in a year who's been accused of molestation.

A foster parent, a 15-year veteran teacher, and a "Big Brother" walked out in handcuffs. Curt Carson is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy he was matched with by the non-profit organization.

Tulsa police say the dozen sexual assaults took place at Carson's home in 2002 and 2003.

The victim, who is now 20, only came forward last year. Investigators arrested Carson, after a phone sting when they say he admitted to molesting the boy.

It's almost one year to the day that another "Big Brother" volunteer was arrested, also accused of sexual assault. John Gisler was charged with three counts of sexually abusing a teenage boy he was assigned to mentor.

5/3/2010 Related Story: Jury Selection Delayed For Former Tulsa Middle School Teacher

Big Brothers, Big Sisters released a statement that said "we are alarmed and deeply saddened" by the news. We reported last year that Big Brothers and Sisters have to fill out an application, submit three references, and undergo an extensive background check.

But it seems Carson cleared background checks by at least three other agencies. He was a teacher at three Tulsa Public Schools middle schools from 1995 to 2005.

And then he taught special education at Union's Intermediate High School, before switching to the Sixth and Seventh Grade Center. Union suspended Carson with pay, pending an investigation.

Read Carson's Employment Application At Union Public Schools

He was also approved by Oklahoma's child welfare system to serve as a foster parent back in 2007. And police say Carson has a 15-year-old foster child.

News On 6 reporter Ashli Sims talked to the CEO of the Oklahoma Chapter of Big Brothers and Sisters. She wouldn't say if the organization changed any of its procedures after John Gisler was arrested last year. But she did say these new accusations date back to 2002 and 2003 and they've had extensive changes to their child safety checks in the last seven years.