Ex-Broughton High teacher could face life in prison if convicted on sex charges
A former Broughton Magnet High School teacher charged with multiple sexual assaults could face life in prison if convicted on fewer than half of them.
A District Court Judge ordered Steven Robert Kohls, 57, held in the Wake County jail without bond Monday following his first court appearance.
Monday’s hearing concerned only six counts of statutory sex offense of a child, which involve a single victim. Those charges bring a minimum 25-year sentence and a maximum of life.
Kohls asked for a public defender and objected to not being released on bond before trial.
“I don’t know that it’s fair I can’t get bonded out,” Kohls said via a video feed. “As far as I know there are only two accusations against me.”
He added, “I think the one accusation was over 20 years ago.”
In a statement to parents last week, Broughton’s principal said Kohls had been suspended with pay. But Wake schools listed Kohls’ position status as resigned on Monday.
Did ex-teacher know victims from Broughton High?
Both prosecutors and Broughton’s principal have stressed that victims in this case were not Kohls’ students and did not take place on campus.
“That wasn’t how I knew the juveniles,” Kohls said on video feed. Court officials cut him off and told him not to discuss facts of the case.
Kohls has taught CTE — career and technical education — since 2016. Wake County schools listed his salary at $63,996.
Judge Christine Walczyk said the charges discussed Monday happened between 2005 and 2014.
In all, Kohls is charged with eight counts of sexual activity by a custodian, three counts of sex offense in a parental role and two counts of statutory sex offense of a child by an adult.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Ex-Broughton High teacher could face life in prison if convicted on sex charges."