Community Education Police & Fire

Former teacher convicted of assaulting students sentenced to maximum prison sentence

Jordan Roy Henderson, 36, a former Peninsula School District teacher, was sentenced Friday to a minimum of 66 years in prison for sexually assaulting female students in his classes at a Lakebay elementary school.

A jury found Henderson guilty on 12 counts of first-degree child molestation on Jan. 5. 

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Alicia Marie Burton followed the prosecutor’s recommendation to impose the maximum sentence. She cited the seriousness of the offense and the aggravating factor that he “profoundly violated the trust that was placed in him as a teacher of children,” according to Adam Faber, spokesman for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.  

Henderson maintained his innocence throughout the case. “Although Mr. Henderson respects the jury’s verdict, he is disappointed with the outcome,” his attorney Brett Purtzer of Hester Law Group wrote in a pre-sentencing plea for leniency. “Nonetheless, he stands before this court to be sentenced.”

Purtzer previously said Henderson will appeal the verdict. 

Allegations surface

Henderson began work as a teacher in Peninsula School District in 2013 at Minter Creek Elementary, before moving to Evergreen Elementary in 2015. He taught third grade for one year, then fifth grade the remainder of his tenure.

The district placed him on administrative leave in February 2024, when allegations surfaced of abuses against four fourth- and fifth-grade girls in his class. The students testified to assaults that occurred between 2022 and 2024.

Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Henderson in April 2024.

Background on case

Henderson has been married for 13 years and is a father of four children. Before his arrest, he was a deacon at Wellspring church, where his father is lead pastor.

Following his arrest, the court placed him on home monitoring with conditions, including that he refrain from contact with minor children (except his own). He returned to jail briefly in June 2024 after a report that he violated parole by holding gatherings at his home with minors present. 

During the investigation, prosecutors found pornography on Henderson’s laptop. That information did not result in charges in this case.

Prosecutors charged him with 12 counts of first-degree child molestation. His trial began in December, and the jury handed down its guilty verdict after less than three days of deliberation.

The “indeterminate” sentence of 792 months to life, as allowed under standard sentencing guidelines, calls for a minimum of 66 years in prison, according to Faber. 

Victim testimony

Family members and students provided written victim impact statements before Friday’s sentencing, asking Burton to impose the maximum allowed penalty. 

“After it happened, I could not sleep in my room for almost three months because I was scared that he would find me,” one student said. She reported trouble sleeping and eating due to depression. 

A student who witnessed the abuse also reported being traumatized. “I started feeling anxious in classes, always on edge, wondering if something else was going to happen,” they said. “School stopped feeling like a safe place.”

Three years of waiting and having to testify in court compounded the trauma. “What Mr. Henderson did didn’t just hurt the girls he touched. It affected all of us who witnessed it,” the student wrote. “I have been trying to heal for the past three years, but the impact is still there.” 

Parents call for justice

One mother said her daughter lost trust in teachers and was fearful at school. The trial in late 2025 upended her birthday celebration. When she testified and saw the defendant, she lost control, couldn’t catch her breath and cried inconsolably.

“The trajectory of her life has changed because of Mr. Henderson’s behavior,” the mother wrote. 

“Since what Mr. Henderson did, I have watched my daughter change in ways no parent should have to witness,” said another mother whose daughter went from vibrant to being withdrawn.

She lost interest in activities she loved, had trouble sleeping and lost friendships. Like some other victims, she had to switch to homeschooling.

“This was not a mistake,” the mother wrote. “This was a sustained abuse of trust by someone placed in a position of trust over children.”

Support from church members

Purtzer submitted more than two dozen letters of support from Henderson’s family, fellow church members, co-workers and community members.

A fellow church member described his “reliability, honesty and personal responsibility.” Henderson’s behavior in allegations is “not consistent with the character I have observed,” he said.

His mother, Susan Henderson, worked with him at Evergreen Elementary and recently retired. She described her son as responsible, hard-working, compassionate and a caring father. She cited several examples of his dedication as a teacher and said parents and students often told her “what a great teacher my son was and how much they liked him and appreciated him.”

Henderson’s wife, Katie, described him as a hard worker and devoted father. 

“Jordan has been a loving and devoted husband to me these nearly 13 years we have had together. He is gentle, kind and considerate to everyone he comes in contact with, and he always puts the needs of others above his own,” she said.

About the sentencing 

Purtzer, in court documents before the sentencing, asked the judge for leniency by citing Henderson’s lack of criminal history and other factors. He argued a sentence of 66 years to life would be excessive and asked for a sentence of 14.5 years per count, to be served concurrently. 

Faber said Henderson might be eligible for reduced time in prison for good behavior. But that is typically 10% of the total sentence, so likely would have a negligible impact.

Judge Burton granted Purtzer’s request that he be allowed contact with his four children, including daughters ages 6 and 1, according to Faber. Contact is to be through supervised visits. 

What’s next? 

Separate from the criminal trial, victims’ families sued Peninsula School District in June 2024. The lawsuit alleges that the district displayed “gross negligence” by failing to stop the abuse. That trial is set to begin in August.

A restitution hearing in the criminal case is set for Sept. 11.