Teacher Gets Probation for Sex with Boy

(Pascagoula, Mississippi) A 36-year-old former science teacher and cheerleading coach at East Central High School, Jennifer Joel Wilder, agreed to a plea bargain last month, giving her probation in a sexual battery case. Wilder had been accused of engaging in sex with a 16-year-old student in 2004.

According to Jackson County District Attorney Tony Lawrence, Wilder received no jail because of a request from the victim and his father.

"They have always indicated they do not want jail time for Mrs. Wilder," Lawrence said at the sentencing before Circuit Judge Robert Krebs. "They have always indicated to me that they want her to surrender her teacher's license, and they want her to have to register as a sex offender so she will never be placed in a position of having this occur again."

Wilder had sex with the teen while she was in a position of trust or authority over him. However, he was not one of her students at the time. Lawrence added, "There is no doubt that the sexual relationship that existed between Ms. Wilder and (the boy) occurred as result of (them living next door to each other)."

Lawrence pointed out that the teacher and student did not have sex on school property and both readily admitted the relationship when police first questioned them.

Well, it's obvious that teachers should be prohibited from living next door to students.

Kidding aside, Wilder received five years probation, permanent loss of her teaching license, $1,000 fine and was ordered to register as a sex offender. A "no contact" with the victim or victim's family order was also handed down. Violation of the terms of her probation could mean 15 years in jail.