September 24, 2025

Virginia Beach Educator Arrested on Multiple Rape Charges

News Summary

Michael Thomas Pope, co-owner of The Goddard School of Lynnhaven and president of Virginia Beach CASA, has been arrested on felony rape charges stemming from incidents reported in 2024. Following a victim’s account of coercion and intimidation, Pope surrendered to authorities and is being held without bond. His resignation from CASA was accepted, and the organization reassures the public of its commitment to child advocacy. The case raises concerns about accountability within educational and advocacy organizations, especially regarding the safety of children.

Virginia Beach – Michael Thomas Pope, a 57-year-old co-owner of The Goddard School of Lynnhaven and president of Virginia Beach CASA, was arrested on three counts of felony rape. The alleged incidents occurred on August 3, 2024, and he was formally charged on September 15, 2025, with rape, sexual penetration with an object, and forcible sodomy.

According to court documents, the victim reported that her experience was “against her will and by use of force, threat, intimidation or through use of such person’s physical helplessness or mental incapacity.” Following the discovery of “potential capias matters,” Pope sought legal counsel and voluntarily surrendered to authorities.

Pope is currently being held without bond, reflecting the serious nature of the charges against him. In his bail determination sheet, he indicated a belief that the allegations may stem from a false accusation made against him a year prior. His legal challenges mark a significant fall from grace for a man who has been a part of the Virginia Beach community since 1970.

As co-owner of The Goddard School of Lynnhaven, Pope played a key role in operating educational facilities in the area. Goddard Systems has confirmed that they are gathering relevant information regarding the situation but clarified that the incident does not involve the school or its children. During the ongoing legal process, Pope has been prohibited from accessing school property; however, his wife remains officially recognized as the owner of the location on the school’s website.

In a related development, Virginia Beach CASA announced on September 19, 2025, that they had accepted Pope’s resignation as president and from the Board of Directors. The organization emphasized that his resignation was due to personal matters unrelated to his official role with themselves. Virginia Beach CASA affirmed that their mission and operations continue unabated, remaining committed to advocating for children in the court system.

Pope’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 6, 2025, as the legal proceedings surrounding the grave allegations continue. The community will be observing closely as further details unfold in this troubling case.

This incident raises serious concerns not only about individual accountability but also about the implications for organizations involved with children in the community. The Goddard School and Virginia Beach CASA aim to reassure the public that they uphold the highest standards of safety and care amid these allegations.

The allegations against Pope and their impact on both his career and community service underscore the critical importance of vigilance and accountability within educational and advocacy organizations. The legal and social ramifications of such incidents are far-reaching, and stakeholders will be monitoring developments closely as the case progresses through the court system.

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Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER

VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg

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