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08-31-2007, 10:50 AM
Teacher avoids prison in plea deal
By Maribel Salazar
Friday, August 31, 2007
Former Christoval Elementary School teacher Sherry Turner pleaded guilty Thursday in a Tom Green County court to one count of having an improper relationship with a student.
Turner, as part of a plea deal that was accepted by the judge, agreed to deferred adjudication for seven years, was fined $2,500 and surrendered her teaching certificate.
Under deferred adjudication, the judge may postpone the finding of guilt and place the defendant on probation. If there are no infractions during the probation, the case will be dismissed without a finding of guilt.
An improper relationship between an educator and a student is a second-degree felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The 37-year-old physical education teacher also was an athletic trainer for Christoval’s middle and high school. She resigned in the spring.
Kirk Hawkins, Turner’s attorney, told presiding Judge Thomas Gossett that Turner has been in counseling. Hawkins and Turner declined comment.
The male student was 17 at the time of the improper conduct, District Attorney Steve Lupton said. Someone who is 17 is considered an adult under the Texas Penal Code. As such, no unlawful sexual abuse or conduct charges were pursued against Turner, Lupton said.
A complaint filed by a Tom Green County sheriff’s deputy in March stated that on Oct. 6, 2006, Turner and the student met in San Angelo’s Unidad Park, where Turner got into the student’s vehicle and engaged in kissing and sexual touching.
Thursday’s court actions concluded the investigation, Lupton said.
Lupton said prosecutors could not contact the student or his family after the complaint was filed but proceeded with the case anyway.
“There was sufficient evidence to proceed,” Lupton said.
By Maribel Salazar
Friday, August 31, 2007
Former Christoval Elementary School teacher Sherry Turner pleaded guilty Thursday in a Tom Green County court to one count of having an improper relationship with a student.
Turner, as part of a plea deal that was accepted by the judge, agreed to deferred adjudication for seven years, was fined $2,500 and surrendered her teaching certificate.
Under deferred adjudication, the judge may postpone the finding of guilt and place the defendant on probation. If there are no infractions during the probation, the case will be dismissed without a finding of guilt.
An improper relationship between an educator and a student is a second-degree felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The 37-year-old physical education teacher also was an athletic trainer for Christoval’s middle and high school. She resigned in the spring.
Kirk Hawkins, Turner’s attorney, told presiding Judge Thomas Gossett that Turner has been in counseling. Hawkins and Turner declined comment.
The male student was 17 at the time of the improper conduct, District Attorney Steve Lupton said. Someone who is 17 is considered an adult under the Texas Penal Code. As such, no unlawful sexual abuse or conduct charges were pursued against Turner, Lupton said.
A complaint filed by a Tom Green County sheriff’s deputy in March stated that on Oct. 6, 2006, Turner and the student met in San Angelo’s Unidad Park, where Turner got into the student’s vehicle and engaged in kissing and sexual touching.
Thursday’s court actions concluded the investigation, Lupton said.
Lupton said prosecutors could not contact the student or his family after the complaint was filed but proceeded with the case anyway.
“There was sufficient evidence to proceed,” Lupton said.