Gehrkens Guilty in Student Sex Case

(Middlebury, Connecticut) In August 2005, 27-year-old former guidance intern at Newtown High School, Jillian Gehrkens, was accused of engaging in a year-long sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student. Gehrkens was charged with two-counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of risk of injury to a minor. She was released on bond.

In September 2005, authorities revealed that the nature of the relationship between Gehrkens and the boy included afternoon "sexual sessions" at her home. Subsequent to the sessions, the boy would stay for dinner with Gehrkens and her husband.

While free on bond, Gehrkens was discovered to have contacted the boy on two occasions in violation of a no-contact order. As a result, she was placed on house arrest.

In the latest development, Gehrkens has accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to sexual assault in the second-degree and a charge of violating the conditions of her release.

From Newsday.com:

A Middlebury woman who was a guidance intern at Newtown High School has pleaded guilty to having a sexual affair with a student, a 15-year-old boy.

Under terms of a plea deal, Jillian Gehrkens, 28, will serve nine months of a seven-year suspended sentence at the women's prison in Niantic section of East Lyme, court officials said Monday.

The plea deal also includes 10 years probation and registration as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12 by Superior Court Judge Joan K. Alexander.


[Update 07/27/07]

Gehrkens sentenced.