Ex-Custodian Pleads Guilty To Sex Assault Of 2 VF Middle Schoolers

TREDYFFRIN, PA — A 25-year-old former custodian at the Valley Forge Middle School was sentenced Monday to 11 1/2 to 23 months in Chester County Prison for having inappropriate relationships with two female students.

Rushon Drayton of Paoli was also ordered by Judge Alito Rovito to serve five years of probation following the jail sentence.

He pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor and related charges.

Drayton was accused of luring students to have sexual contact with him while he was working as a janitor for Tredyffrin/Easttown School District between Feb. 11 and April 10, 2022.

Dr. Richard Gusick, school superintendent, notified families and school staff in a letter that Drayton was dismissed and banned from the school grounds following his arrest.

According to court records:

On April 10, the mother of a 14-year-old student at Valley Forge Middle School contacted police about inappropriate text messages sent to her daughter by the defendant known as "Shawn," who was the school custodian.

The victim told police that "Shawn" became friendly with students over the past several months by handing out candy three to four times a week. The victim also said that the defendant talked with her one-on-one in the hallway and asked for her cell phone number, which she gave to him.

The next step, according to the victim, was texting and FaceTiming with her during the week, weekend, and school.

When initially speaking with police about the allegations, Drayton told police "Age is just a number."
During a second interview with police, Drayton admitted kissing the victim 10 times and said their relationship had progressed as if they were dating.

A second victim told detectives that Drayton had given her a sex toy, marijuana, and other gifts.

Police recovered hundreds of sexual and inappropriate text messages and photos that were sent to the second victim by the defendant.

Police found hundreds of messages between the victim and Drayton discussing sex and plans to meet.