Carrie McCandless Jailed for Probation Violation - Updated

(Fort Collins, Colorado) Former Brighton Charter High School teacher, cheerleading coach and principal's wife, Carrie McCandless, 34, had her probation revoked today and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

In a firm, quiet voice, McCandless today admitted in a Fort Collins courtroom the probation violation — officials said she tested positive for morphine — and accepted the 60-day sentence from Judge Devin Odell.

When asked by Odell if she was admitting to the violation, she responded: "That's my intent, yes sir."

In addition to the 60-day jail sentence, McCandless will spend 60 days on unsupervised probation. But the violation means she also lost the benefit of her deferred sentence.

Had she remained law abiding for the length of that initial five-year sentence, the conviction would have been wiped from her record. Instead, she now has a felony conviction for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Judge Odell gave McCandless credit for nine days served since her arrest earlier this month.

* * * * *
Teacher McCandless Gets Jail for Student Sex
UPDATE: McCandless Violates Probation
[Previous 4/1/08 post bumped]
(Fort Collins, Colorado) The convicted sex offender, former Brighton Charter High School teacher, cheerleading coach and principal's wife, Carrie McCandless, 31, is back in jail.

She surrendered to officers at the Larimer County Detention Center last Friday and admitted to violating her probation by drinking and having unauthorized sexual contact with some guy, another parolee.

According to court records, a Weld County probation officer found McCandless in bed at the apartment of another parolee March 6. The other offender's name was not released, but Cooper said it was not McCandless' husband or a juvenile.

"Because of the underlying offense, part of the treatment is working through these kinds of things and being open about relationships," Cooper said.

McCandless signed a statement March 13 admitting the violations, which also include missing alcohol screenings and violating her curfew.

Sex offenders are widely considered most at risk for reoffending, which is why they are often placed on intensive supervision even when freed from prison or jail.

McCandless is living at home in Erie, and Weld County probation officers are monitoring her on Larimer County's behalf, Cooper said.

As part of the original plea agreement, McCandless pleaded guilty to misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact with a minor for fondling Tommy Clay while chaperoning a school-sponsored trip to Estes Park in October 2006.

McCandless appears to be quite McClueless when it comes to observing the rules of society, possibly a result of excessive randiness DNA. She will do 30 days in county lockup for this latest iteration with the justice system. What happens next is anyone's guess.

* * * * * *
Teacher McCandless Gets Jail for Student Sex
[Previous 06/08/07 post bumped]
(Fort Collins, Colorado) The case of former Brighton Charter High School teacher, cheerleading coach and principal's wife, Carrie McCandless, has finally reached a conclusion.

To refresh memories, McCandless was originally accused in November 2006 of engaging in sex with a 17-year-old student. In December, she was charged with felony unlawful sexual conduct and released on bond. In January 2007, McCandless was rearrested for violating bond conditions. In April, McCandless pleaded guilty in accordance with a deal which downgraded the sex charges against her to misdemeanors.

Today, Larimer County Judge James Hiatt sentenced McCandless to 45 days in jail.

McCandless got the maximum sentence under an April deal with prosecutors in which she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of having unlawful sexual contact, a second misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and a felony count of tampering with physical evidence. She will serve five years probation and be required to register as a sex offender.

In summary, McCandless was fired from her teaching position, must spend time in jail and must register as a sex offender. The status of her teaching credentials is unknown. Interestingly, her marriage to Chris McCandless, principal of Brighton Charter High School, has apparently endured.