Former High School Teacher Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing a Minor Student

WASHINGTON - Mark Williams, 59, of Virginia, was sentenced today in D.C. Superior Court, to 16 years in prison for sexually abusing one of his minor students in 2014, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Williams was found guilty on February 12, 2026, of four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a secondary education student and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan ordered Williams to serve a total prison term of 16 years, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. William is also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

"Mark Williams groomed and sexually abused an underage student. It took years for the victim to gain the courage to come forward and disclose the abuse she suffered. Williams even left the country, but justice ultimately caught up with him," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who exploit vulnerable individuals, especially children. This sentence is well deserved."

According to the government's evidence, in the spring of 2014, Williams was the victim's high school teacher at Duke Ellington School for the Arts. Williams began an independent study with the victim, who was 17 years old at the time. Their independent study met in a locked, windowless room in the basement of Duke Ellington. Williams then initiated a romantic and sexual relationship with the victim, during which they participated in sexual acts while on campus.

Williams was arrested on November 21, 2023, and has been in custody since he failed to appear for trial on February 2, 2026.

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney's Office, including Paralegal Specialist Tiffany Jones, Investigative Analyst Lucas Jetson, and Victim Witness Coordinators Guisela Castillo and Katina Adams.

Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Hyde and Sarah Roessler, who investigated and prosecuted the case, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Platt, who assisted with investigating the case.

2023 CF1 008583