Commonwealth v. Robert Burton Weisenbeck; Former Teacher Receives Max Sentence for Sexually Abusing Exchange Student

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced today that Robert Burton Weisenbeck, age 55, formerly of the 5500 block of MacGuffie Street in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced today for Custodial Indecent Liberties. Circuit Court Judge Steven C. Frucci sentenced Weisenbeck to the maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison. Weisenbeck must also register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment. This sentence was much greater than the recommendation of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines which called for a sentence no longer than three (3) months.

Weisenbeck pled guilty on March 30, 2022. Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth's evidence would have proven that between June 1, 2016, and July 31, 2016, Robert Burton Weisenbeck acted as the host father for a minor female foreign exchange student. Weisenbeck was a high school teacher. Weisenbeck sexually abused the minor in his vehicle and his home on multiple occasions.

The minor ultimately returned to her home overseas and reported the abuse to the Virginia Beach Police Department several years later. Detectives interviewed Weisenbeck on Nov. 11, 2021, and he admitted to touching the victim inappropriately. Weisenbeck was taken into custody in Newark, New Jersey and was extradited back to Virginia Beach.

The victim flew back to Virginia Beach from Europe to testify in Weisenbeck's sentencing hearing today.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney C. Andrew Rice prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.