American Canyon teacher accused of child molestation takes plea deal

(KRON) -- An American Canyon High School teacher who was accused of molesting two children pleaded guilty and no contest to charges as part of a plea agreement, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced Thursday.

Brad Rowell, 42, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Napa County Superior Court to 10 counts involving two victims, including lewd acts upon a child, unlawful sexual intercourse and oral copulation of a person under 18. He pleaded no contest to one count of a lewd or lascivious act of a person under 14.

The plea agreement stipulates that Rowell will serve a 15-year prison sentence, register as a sex offender for life, pay restitution to the victims and be subject to a 10-year restraining order from each victim, according to the DA’s office.

At the time of his arrest for child sexual abuse in April, Rowell worked as a physical education teacher at American Canyon High School and served as a track and field coach. During the investigation, it was learned that Rowell molested a second victim, prosecutors said.

The two victims supported the plea agreement, according to the DA's office. "There was an opportunity to spare the victims from testifying in court, make the defendant a lifetime sex registrant and secure a substantial state prison sentence, and we took advantage of it," Deputy District Attorney Colleen McMahon said.

Rowell is being held on a $500,000 bail in the Napa County Detention Center. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.

A former principal at American Canyon High School, Andrew Goff, was charged in June for failing to report Rowell’s suspected child sexual abuse. Prosecutors allege that Goff, who is a mandated reporter, was notified of the abuse and “failed to timely report this information to either law enforcement or child welfare services.” A jury trial for Goff's misdemeanor charge is set to begin on Feb. 10, 2025, court records show.