News - Local/State

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

Driving instructor guilty of indecent exposure

YORK -- A jury on Wednesday convicted a former York County driving instructor on five counts of indecent exposure.

David Wayne Zitcovich, 59, of 1458 Covenant Place received a 15-year sentence suspended to five years, said 16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett.

Judge John Few of Greenville ordered that the sentence be followed by a five-year probation, Brackett said. Zitcovich, a former Ohio state trooper, also must register as a sex offender, Brackett said.

"I'm very proud of the young girls who stepped forward and reported these incidents," Brackett said after the trial ended Wednesday. "The sentence handed down sends a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated."

Zitcovich's attorney, Gary Lemel, couldn't be reached Wednesday night.

Five teenage girls said Zitcovich showed his genital area to them during their driver's education lessons from June to August 2007, according to police records and court testimony.

Zitcovich was an instructor with Behind The Wheel Driving Academy.

"The father of one of the teens told Judge Few that he thought Mr. Zitcovich deserved a harsh sentence because he used his status as a former police officer to make parents feel that their children were safe with him," Brackett said.

Zitcovich provided private driving lessons in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay and York. During one of the driving lessons, Zitcovich inquired about a girl's sexual encounters and asked if she'd ever received or performed oral sex, according to a report from York County Sheriff's Office. The report states that Zitcovich rubbed the girl's leg as he questioned her.

Zitcovich remained in custody Wednesday night at York County Detention Center. He is expected to be transferred to a state prison within days.