Former Evergreen High School teacher Matthew Morasch was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail for trying to take “upskirt” images of a girl in his class and another woman at a local Goodwill store.
Morasch, 42, was convicted last month by a Clark County Superior Court jury of one count of voyeurism, a felony, and two counts of attempted voyeurism, gross misdemeanors.
He was a freshman physics teacher at the school and was in his 10th year with the district when the crimes occurred. The district placed him on leave when the allegations surfaced, but he later resigned.
His former student — the only victim who was identified by police — testified at his trial that in addition to Morasch attempting to take video up her dress, she was also the subject of a separate photo taken in the spring of 2015. She was 14 at the time. Morasch additionally took an upskirt video of an unidentified woman in the Battle Ground Goodwill store in April 2015.
During sentencing, his former student asked the judge to hand down the maximum sentence — 364 days in jail. She said that Morasch abused his authority and trust.
Deputy Prosecutor Luka Vitasovic told the judge that it was fitting Morasch was being sentenced that day, because for many children it was their first day of school. He argued that Morasch was entrusted to play a vital role in his students’ growth and instead he betrayed them, their families and the community.
“This teacher is a predator, a predator who went after the very underage students he’s supposed to look after,” Vitasovic said.
He said Morasch has shown no remorse or acknowledgement of his actions.
Morasch’s attorney, Alan Harvey, said his client has maintained his innocence since the beginning of the case. They argued at trial that the images were inadvertently taken. Harvey added that Morasch shouldn’t be punished for exercising his right to a trial.
Morasch declined to make a statement to the court.
Judge Derek Vanderwood took a brief recess before handing down his sentence.
He ordered that Morasch serve a total of six months in jail with 184 additional days to be suspended for two years.
Vanderwood called Morasch’s actions a “significant violation of trust.”
In addition to his sentence, Morasch will also have to register as a sex offender and undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation and any required treatment.
He was taken into custody following the hearing. However, Vanderwood granted the defense’s request to set bail, allowing Morasch to remain out of custody, if he posts, while he appeals his convictions. Bail was set at $25,000.
