Sexual Assault Charges Filed Against Berkley County Middle School Staff Member

In recent years, stories of teachers and school staff abusing their authority to prey on students have become unfortunately common. Each new report confirms what families and advocates have long feared: these aren’t isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper institutional failures.

Now, yet another West Virginia school employee (this time a staff member at Musselman Middle School) has been arrested on multiple sex-related charges involving a minor.

These school sexual abuse cases are more than criminal matters. They are breaches of trust. And they demand accountability from the institutions that failed to protect their students.

The Recent Incident at Musselman Middle School

LootPress recently reported that a faculty member at Musselman Middle School has been arrested and charged with multiple sex-related crimes, according to a statement from Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe.

Luke Seno was a teacher at the school and was placed on administrative leave immediately after the district received a serious complaint on May 28, 2025. The allegation led to swift action by the school district. They notified local law enforcement, the Department of Health & Human Resources, and the West Virginia Department of Education.

Seno now faces several charges, including:

• Multiple counts of sexual assault
• Soliciting a minor via telephone
• Sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust

He is currently held at Eastern Regional Jail on a $1,500,000 cash-only bond.

Dr. Saxe stated, “This is not something we will ever ignore, minimize, or tolerate. Every student deserves to feel safe and respected.” He praised the staff who reported the allegations and emphasized those who spoke up: “See something, say something is more than a phrase—it is an expectation and a responsibility we all share.”

The school district is cooperating with ongoing investigations and has pledged to take further action to protect students and uphold safety policies.

This Case Echoes a Pattern of Abuse in the Region

This arrest comes on the heels of another disturbing case involving a former middle school math teacher at Rocky Knoll Adventist School in Martinsburg. According to The Journal, Jorge William Mendoza pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust after he was accused of inappropriate conduct with two students.

Mendoza had faced multiple charges, including:

• Second- and third-degree sexual assault
• Sexual abuse
• Distributing obscene material to minors
• Solicitation via computer

He was sentenced to 11–25 years in prison, followed by 50 years of supervised release.

Hendrickson & Long Pursuing Justice Through Civil Litigation

In the aftermath of Mendoza’s criminal conviction, Hendrickson & Long PLLC, alongside Jesse Forbes of Forbes Law Offices and Guy D’Andrea of Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, filed two civil lawsuits for survivors in Berkeley County.

These civil filings hold not just the abusers accountable but also any institutions that failed to screen, monitor, or respond to red flags properly. Schools, administrators, or affiliated organizations must be held responsible if they fail in their duty to protect students.

Often, this is due to negligence, improper hiring practices, or inadequate supervision. Over the past year, Hendrickson & Long PLLC has actively pursued justice for survivors and their families.

We’re fighting to expose systemic failures and ensure that all institutions are accountable for their actions. Incidents like those involving Luke Seno and Jorge William Mendoza are examples of recent troubling breaches of trust. When individuals in positions of authority exploit their power, the impact extends beyond the immediate victims. This affects families, schools, and entire communities.

All institutions must be held responsible for child safety. When they fail in their role in prevention and response, they can be held accountable. While these cases are criminal in nature, civil claims can expose institutional negligence, creating incentives for lasting change.

Support for Victims and Families of Sexual Abuse in West Virginia

If you or a loved one has experienced abuse by a teacher or school staff member, you have the right to take action. The attorneys at Hendrickson & Long PLLC understand the sensitive nature of these matters.

We’re committed to providing compassionate and confidential support.

Our goal is to help survivors obtain justice, compensation, and closure while advocating for stronger protections in schools.

We’re ready to listen, provide guidance, and fight for your interests with the professionalism and care your case deserves.