Illinois Teacher Gets 5 Years in Sex Case - Updated

(Mount Vernon, Illinois) Former Bethel Grade School teacher Lisa Miller, 42, pleaded guilty yesterday in accordance with a plea agreement to aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy.

As a result, Miller was sentenced to five years in prison.

She served one day in jail following her arrest, and will be given credit for the one day served on her sentence.

According to the factual basis for the plea, Miller sexually assaulted the student in the bedroom at her home, and admitted to the conduct during interviews with the Mt. Vernon Police Department.

In addition to pleading guilty to the charge, Miller agreed to waive her right to later withdraw the guilty plea and waived her right to appeal in the case.

Miller was ordered to surrender to the Illinois Department of Corrections on October 11 which allows her time to transfer guardianship of her two children to her parents. Miller will also have time to explain to the kids why mommy is going away.

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Illinois Teacher Accused of Sex with Boy - Updated
[Previous 6/23/11 post]
(Mount Vernon, Illinois) Since her arrest in 2006, former special education teacher at Bethel Grade School, Lisa Miller, has been free on $150,000 bond.

Miller faces three counts of criminal sexual assault for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old student three times in 2005. Charges were filed in 2006 when Miller also resigned her teaching position.

Several trial dates have been vacated since her arrest, and negotiations have been ongoing between the defense and Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s office, according to court information.

The latest trial date has been scheduled for Sept. 13, with a final pretrial conference on Aug. 31.

It's not clear why prosecution of Miller's case has taken so long.

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Illinois Teacher Accused of Sex with Boy
[Previous 7/21/07 post]
(Mount Vernon, Illinois) Last May, 37-year-old special education teacher at Bethel Grade School, Lisa Miller, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old male student. The sex allegedly occurred on three separate occasions in April 2005 with a male who was "barely 14" at the time.

Mt. Vernon Police Department detectives investigated Miller after being alerted by school officials of a possible inappropriate relationship. Subsequently, Miller was charged with three counts of criminal sexual assault. She was booked and released on bond.

In the latest development, Miller is scheduled to appear at a jury pretrial hearing in September.