Former Waynesboro teacher pleads guilty to child sex crimes

A former Spanish teacher at Waynesboro High School was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to producing child pornography, committing forcible sodomy and taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Joseph Emmanuel Trust, a 39-year-old Stuarts Draft resident, pleaded guilty in Augusta County Circuit Court to 16 charges. Fourteen of them involved the production of child pornography.

Deputy Augusta County Commonwealth's Attorney Lorna Hilliard said incriminating images were found on Trust's cellphone. He was identified in at least one photo by a silver-color wedding band with three stones in it, identical to the one Trust wears.

The forcible sodomy conviction involved a victim under the age of 13. Hilliard offered evidence of Trust asking the victim to perform sexual acts on his genitalia. The same victim was also asked to pose for cellphone photos displaying her genitals.

The indecent liberties with a minor involved a child under 15. Authorities reported finding fully nude photos of the victim in Trust's possession and, according to Hilliard, the inappropriate relationship occurred over more than a year.

Trust offered an emotional confession to his crimes in court, apologizing to his wife.

"I'm sorry about not talking when I should have," he said. "I only wanted to protect you and make you happy."

"Thank you for marrying me and for 17 of the happiest years of my life," he told her.

Hilliard said the investigation into Trust started in April after one of the victims came forward. There was an interview with the Child Advocacy Center and a search warrant executed at Trust's home in Stuarts Draft.

Approximately 38 charges against Trust were dropped. Hilliard said he must serve at least 30 years in prison on the forcible sodomy conviction, with the sentences on the other crimes to run concurrently. He will remain on probation for life after his release from prison. Judge Sean Workowski also ordered that Trust undergo sex offender treatment.

In addition to his guilty pleas and sentence, Trust has surrendered his Virginia teaching license. Waynesboro Public Schools placed him on leave in April when he was arrested. Trust has remained in Middle River Regional Jail in Verona without bond since his arrest.

Hilliard expressed relief to The News Virginian that a plea agreement was reached and that Trust "acknowledged his crimes." She is also glad the young victims did not have to appear in court. A three-day trial in Trust's case had been scheduled to start Sept. 30 prior to Wednesday's plea.