Arizona Teach Gets Sweet Deal in Sex Case

(Tucson, Arizona) In April 2007, a 24-year-old former teacher at Salpointe Catholic High School, Rebecca Lee Kelley, was indicted for engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old male student.

Kelley pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 18, each carrying a possible punishment of two years in prison.

Today, Rebecca Lee Kelley pleaded guilty in accordance with a deal to one count of failure to report a reportable offense and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said defense attorney Stephen Weiss.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 13 and Weiss said he expects Kelley will be put on probation for all counts, with the agreement calling for the maximum three years. Kelley's plea also calls for restitution, capped at $10,000, to pay for counseling for the boy and his mother.

In summary, it appears that Kelley will get probation and walk away without a felony on her record. It also appears that she won't be required to surrender her teaching credentials nor register as a sex offender.

In the words of Eric Cartman, "S-W-E-E-T!"


[Update 11/14/07]

Kelley sentenced to probation. So, another teacher mixes it up with a student and gets no punishment because of the shape of her skin. I don't believe a male teacher would have been treated as leniently. Kelley should make sure that Judge Gus Aragon is put on her Christmas list.