A longtime educator in St. Louis Park is out of a job and facing criminal charges after two students reported that he touched them inappropriately at a local learning center.
Gerald Patrick Heaney, 65, has been charged in Hennepin County with two counts of fifth‑degree criminal sexual conduct. School leaders say Heaney is no longer employed at Groves and that they are working with investigators as the case moves through the courts.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County, police received a report on March 3 alleging misconduct at Groves Learning Organization. Investigators say a 19‑year‑old woman told them Heaney grabbed her, put his hands on her hips, touched her lower back, and, on one occasion, her bra and breast. A second student, a 17‑year‑old girl, reported that Heaney repeatedly patted her butt and called her "really cute" and "really pretty."
The complaint states the alleged conduct toward the 17‑year‑old began last year and became more consistent this year. The 19‑year‑old reported that the behavior toward her started about five months earlier. Heaney made his first court appearance this week and was released on $0 bail with conditions, or $6,000 without conditions. His next hearing is scheduled for July 15, 2026, as reported by CBS Minnesota.
School response
In a statement to CBS Minnesota, Groves Learning Organization head Jessie Coyle said, "The school has fully cooperated." She said the matter is now in the hands of law enforcement and that the organization is focused on supporting its students as the investigation continues.
Groves describes itself as an educational nonprofit that serves students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other executive‑functioning challenges. More information on its programs is available on the Groves Learning Organization website.
Charges and legal context
Heaney is charged with criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree, a Minnesota statute that covers certain types of nonconsensual sexual contact. Under Minn. Stat. 609.3451, fifth‑degree offenses can be treated as gross misdemeanors, or elevated to felonies in some aggravated or repeat‑offense situations, with tougher penalties attached.
As in all criminal cases, Heaney is presumed innocent. The charges are allegations that prosecutors must prove in court before any conviction can occur.
Local context
The case lands at a time when educator misconduct is drawing increased scrutiny across Minnesota. Recent reporting in the Star Tribune detailed a separate May sentencing involving a former Winona teacher, highlighting the ongoing challenges schools face in preventing and responding to abuse allegations.
The St. Louis Park case remains active in Hennepin County District Court, with Heaney due back in court on July 15, 2026. This story will be updated as additional public records and court filings become available.
