SALEM (OR)
Statesman Journal [Salem OR]
July 15, 2025
By Isabel Funk
A former principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in Salem and vice principal of Regis St. Mary Catholic School in Stayton was charged July 15 with sexually abusing a minor while he was employed at Regis.
Christopher Seibert, 56, was arrested July 14 after a Marion County grand jury indicted him on four counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of second-degree unlawful sexual penetration.
Seibert is accused of sexually abusing a girl who was under age 14 between April 2021 and April 2023. The indictment alleges he unlawfully and knowingly subjected her to sexual contact or penetration on at least five occasions.
Deputy District Attorney Caitlin Spencer said at the arraignment that Seibert would pull the student out of class, take her to his office and put his hand under her skirt or blouse.
After the last incident, in which Spencer alleged that Seibert penetrated the girl, she ran out of the office, Spencer said.
“The defendant abused his position of power at St. Mary’s over the most vulnerable: the children,” Spencer said.
Seibert began working at Regis as head of lower schools in 2021, according to a Regis newsletter. It was unclear when Seibert left Regis and under what circumstances.
He began working at St. Joseph in Salem in 2023 as a fifth-grade teacher, according to a Facebook post from the school. He became principal of the school for the 2024-25 school year, according to internet archives.
Seibert began working in education in 1994 as a third grade teacher at a public school in California, according to the Facebook post. He has spent 30 years in education working as a teacher, counselor and principal, the post said.
Jeff Meeuwsen, pastor of St. Joseph, said in a statement to the school community provided to the Statesman Journal that he placed Seibert on administrative leave immediately after learning about the allegations in December 2024.
“I believe he served St. Joseph faithfully, but we only know what is revealed,” Meeuwsen said. “Now the police are asking for anyone who might have been hurt by Mr. Seibert at St. Joseph School to be brave and come forward with the truth. This has been a long and frustrating process for me too.”
Stayton Police said both schools cooperated with the investigation.
Police said investigators were seeking any additional information due to Seibert’s past roles and access to minors and asked anyone with information to report it to Stayton Police at 503-982-2340.
Seibert was arraigned on the charges July 15 at the Marion County Court Annex.
Spencer said the girl felt too scared to make a statement at the arraignment, but her mother made a brief statement asking the judge not to allow Seibert bail.
Seibert’s attorney asked the judge to lower the bail to $50,000, arguing that the state’s recommendation of $250,000 bail was too big of a financial hardship as Seibert is unemployed.
Seibert’s wife and four children were all present at the arraignment.
Marion County Judge Matthew Tracey ordered Seibert to be held in jail on bail of $250,000 and not to have any contact with the victim or any other child.