Former Rockingham County Teacher and Coach Sentenced to Prison Following Child Sexual Abuse Convictions

Former Elkton Middle School teacher John Rose IV was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse charges in Virginia.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 11:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WVVA News and WHSV

Sentencing in Bedford County Circuit Court

A legal process that began with a September 2025 guilty plea has concluded with a multi-year prison sentence for a former Virginia middle school teacher. John Rose IV appeared in Bedford County Circuit Court this week to receive his final judgment for a series of crimes involving the sexual abuse of a minor. The judge presiding over the case initially issued a 20 year prison sentence but opted to suspend 14 years of that term. As a result, Rose is ordered to serve six years of active incarceration. Following his release from state custody, Rose will be required to complete a seven year term of supervised probation.

Details of the Criminal Convictions

The sentencing follows Rose’s admission of guilt to a total of eight felony counts. Court records indicate that Rose pleaded guilty to six counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and two additional counts of having carnal knowledge of a minor. The charges reflect a pattern of behavior that exploited a position of trust. Rose’s background as a teacher and coach at Elkton Middle School has been a central element of the public concern surrounding the case, as his roles provided significant access to youth in both academic and athletic settings.

Pending Charges in Rockingham County

While the Bedford County proceedings have reached a sentencing phase, Rose’s legal challenges are not yet over. He is scheduled for a court hearing on May 4 in Rockingham County to address further allegations of misconduct. These pending charges involve two counts of committing indecent acts with a child while serving in a custodial role. This specific charge category pertains to individuals who use a position of authority or guardianship to facilitate abuse. The outcome of the Rockingham County hearing could potentially result in additional prison time or consecutive sentencing.