Teacher Cameo Patch Gets Probation

(Tooele, Utah) Last January, 29-year-old Tooele High School substitute teacher Cameo Patch was arrested for illegal sexual activity with a student and, last month, she pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor sexual battery.

Yesterday, 3rd District Judge Mark Kouris sentenced Patch to probation.

From Salt Lake Tribune:

The judge suspended a one-year jail term and placed Patch on probation for 36 months. He also ordered her to obtain a psycho-sexual evaluation and fined her $2,000. But the judge said Patch could deduct the cost of the evaluation and her ongoing counseling from the fine.

Judge Kouris then explained.

"If this was a 29-year-old male and a 17-year-old female, I would be inclined to order some incarceration."

After which, he blamed the 17-year-old student for causing Patch to commit a crime. Therefore, it appears that Judge Kouris believes in equality before the law, except for female defendants. Hmmm . . . I'm not sure he would see common agreement on the issue throughout the judiciary.

Nonetheless, this is the first time, to my knowledge, that a judge has openly admitted a bias against men. It happens all the time but it's never acknowledged.

Regarding Cameo Patch, she's going back to her family of three kids. Unfortunately, her husband divorced her after it became known she was giving oral sex to a student in the parking lot. Since she was convicted of a misdemeanor, one must presume that she retains her teaching credentials and will likely show up in another classroom soon.