Ex-Pierce County elementary teacher who molested students sentenced to prison
The former Pierce County elementary school teacher convicted of inappropriately touching four students was sentenced Friday to 66 years to life in prison.
Jordan Roy Henderson, 36, was convicted by a jury of 12 counts of first-degree child molestation in January. He was teaching at Evergreen Elementary School near Lakebay when a Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegations reported by students was announced in 2024.
At trial, four girls who were students in Henderson’s 4th and or 5th grade class testified that the teacher sexually assaulted them. According to prosecutors’ sentencing memorandum, they described times in the classroom where Henderson touched their butts, vaginal areas or breasts. One student said she felt Henderson’s erect penis on her back when he embraced her from behind.
Henderson testified in his defense, denying that he ever touched the girls sexually or that he had any child sit on his lap.
At sentencing Friday in Pierce County Superior Court, the mothers of two victims urged Judge Alicia Burton to impose a maximum sentence. They described how Henderson’s actions were still affecting their children’s mental health and trust in teachers.
One mother told the judge that her daughter had hidden kitchen knives under her pillow because she feared Henderson would come back to harm her. The other said her daughter was groomed and molested over two school years, and she still has nightmares about Henderson.
“He can’t be trusted,” the mother said of Henderson in court. “I once trusted him, only for him to molest my daughter and steal her innocence.”
Burton ordered Henderson to serve high-end sentences for offenses committed against each of his four victims. He will serve those punishments consecutively. Because he was convicted of sex offenses, Henderson will register as a sex offender for life, and the state’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board will decide when or if he is released.
The judge also ordered that Henderson have only supervised visitation with his two daughters, ages 6 and 1, until they turn 18. Burton noted that prosecutors had credible evidence of Henderson’s possession of child pornography and searches involving incest and father-daughter sexual abuse.
Prosecutors had asked that Henderson not be allowed to have any contact with his daughters. But Burton chose a lesser restriction, stating that she took to heart the comments of Henderson’s wife, Katie, who said in court that she had never had any concern about leaving her daughters in Henderson’s care. She said she believed keeping them from him would cause irreparable harm. Burton said she struggled with the idea of Henderson’s two sons being able to see him and not his two other children.
Henderson’s defense attorney, Brett Purtzer, requested a 14 year, six months sentence in the middle of the standard sentencing range. He said that the state’s recommendation of 66 years was not supported, and that someone who was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder would see less time in prison.
Purtzer also emphasized that his client was convicted of inappropriately touching his students rather than groping them or fondling.
Henderson, who appeared in court in a brown and pink jail uniform, declined to speak when given the opportunity by Burton.
While Burton imposed Henderson’s sentence, she commended the strength and courage the girls possessed to report this abuse and then testify at trial. Burton said the evidence established that Henderson had profoundly affected these girls’ lives and abused his position of trust.
“This case has shaken a community and altered the lives of all involved,” Burton said.
This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 2:45 PM.
