Conservative Babylon

Claims to fame: Former Hyles-Anderson student and 27-year-old principal of Liberty Baptist Academy (Lake Station, Indiana); kidnapper; child rapist

Moral apex: Had sex, on multiple occasions, with one of his students, an 11-year-old girl, then took off with her across the country, landing in Las Vegas, where Beith planned to “set up housekeeping,” marry, and have babies with the child.

Busted: In Las Vegas, where he pleaded guilty in 2001 to crossing state lines with the intent of having sex with a minor. Local and state charges were dropped so that federal prosecutors could take care of the case. (He did, after all, transport her across eleven statelines.)

Twinkie defense: Beith said (in a letter to his parents) that his “actions had been misunderstood.”

Sentenced: To 15 years.

But: In 2005, after Beith had served four years, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago (Seventh Circuit) ordered him resentenced “because there was no clear evidence of a previous molestation or that Beith abducted her by deceit or trickery,” according to AP.

In February, 2006, U.S. District Court Judge Rudy Lozano, who had imposed the original 15-year sentence, knocked five years off Beith’s time — “reluctantly,” saying he was “compelled” by the Seventh Circuit decision.

What with time already served, and eligibility for early release for good conduct, Beith could be on the streets again as early as 2009.

First offense? Nope. Andy-Boy was arrested in 1990, charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, after exposing himself to a 15-year-old girl. The charge was dismissed after he underwent court-ordered counseling. Which, apparently, didn’t work.

Obvious question: How did a kid become principal of a private Baptist school?

Not-very-surprising answer: He took over the job in 2000 from his father, William S. Beith, after Daddy’s own arrest (q.v.).

Who’s in charge of the school now: Darryl Crotz, who is married to Andy’s sister Cindy (so, Andy’s brother-in-law, and Beith Sr.’s eldest daughter).

We are disturbed by this because: Darryl and Cindy Crotz are Hyles-Anderson graduates.

Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Beith:

If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you.

— Deuteronomy 24:7