Teacher Gets 2 Years for Sex with Student

(Sterling, Colorado) In May 2005, former teacher at Merino Elementary School, Donna Lopus, was charged with sex assault of a child by a person in a position of trust. Earlier this year, she pleaded guilty.

From Journal-Advocate.com:

Donna Sue Lopus, 40, who pleaded guilty to sex assault on a child by one in a position of trust back in March, was handed a two-year work release jail sentence to be served in the Logan County Jail Thursday.

In addition, the court handed a 10 years to life probation and has required Lopus to register as a sex offender for life. She was immediately remanded to the custody of the Logan County Sheriff's Department.

In Lopus' defense, attorney Michael Kelley stated that Lopus suffers from bipolar disorder which manifests itself in an inability to say "no" to sexual advances. It was noted also that she fully cooperated with investigators.

The work release jail sentence means she will be allowed to leave the jail one hour before the start of work and be required to return within one hour after the completion of work.