On Feb. 10, a jury found a former Wareham High School custodian not guilty of indecent assault and battery on a student.

In mid 2023 a 16-year-old high school student alleged Michael Miranda, 56, of Marion touched her inappropriately.

According to court documents, the student alleged that while she and a classmate were washing paint brushes in a custodial closet, Miranda put his arm around her waist then moved his hand up and touched the underwire section of her bra.

The student's interaction with Miranda was caught on surveillance video, which, according to Miranda’s lawyer, Don Brisson, proved Miranda’s innocence.

“I’m really glad they had it,” Brisson said. “We got Wareham [schools] to give it up and for good reason because it shows that he didn’t do it.”

Miranda lost his position as custodian at the high school as a result of the incident and Brisson said one of Miranda’s children has faced harassment at school.

“It was quite the ordeal not only for Mr. Miranda but for his entire family,” Brisson said.

Brisson said it took the jury only ten minutes to reach a not-guilty verdict.

“That is the quickest decision I've had in 31 years of practicing law,” he said.

Brisson said testimony from Miranda and the alleged victims helped the jury come to a conclusion.

“The alleged victim and her friend contradict what was in the video,” Brisson said. “You look at the scene and think, how in the world could they come up with that lie.”

Representatives for the District Attorney’s office said the prosecution disagrees with the not-guilty verdict “but respect the jury’s time and thoughtfulness.”

"I just want it noted I am and always was innocent,” Miranda wrote in an email.