May 16, 2011

The Moore Monitor contacted Michael J. Fruitt this afternoon for a comment about his arrest. Fruitt declined an interview. 

 

53 year old substitute teacher, Michael J. Fruitt, who was arrested at Westmoore High School on Friday, May 13th for allegedly sending inappropriate text messages to a student, has been released from jail.

 

According to the police report, officers were called to the school by Westmoore principal Mark Hunt. Hunt showed those officers the student's phone with the text messages. The report shows those messages include wanting to "rip off your (her) shorts" and "rub your (her) body."

 

The student told officers Fruitt previously had her phone number, but that she had changed it. She said that on Friday Fruitt asked her fourth hour teacher to have her step outside. Once she was outside the class he asked her if changed her number. She gave him her new number and said that about 30 minutes later she received the text message in question. Once she received the message, she asked permission to go to the office to tell the principal.

 

The student told police that Fruitt had obtained her phone number the first time by having her called to the office, then stopped her in the hallway to give her his phone number and said, "text me." She later texted Fruitt for an unknown reason. She reported receiving texts from the accused man before, but nothing as explicit as the latest messages.

 

Fruitt was arrested on the scene on Friday on a complaint of violating the computer crimes act. No word yet on when Fruitt will be back in court to face charges.