Tennessee Teacher Gets No Jail in Sex Case - Updated

Although she was initially charged with and pleaded guilty to multiple counts of statutory rape in two different Tennessee counties, former teacher Holly Hatcher, 28, received no jail, just probation for six years.

In Sumner County, Hatcher was granted judicial diversion after pleading guilty to three counts of statutory rape. If probation requirements are met, Hatcher's criminal record will be expunged.

In Davidson County, six counts of statutory rape by an authority figure were "retired."

The past delays and the looming likelihood of further delays derailed the prosecution, with the victim in the case – 17 at the time of the incident – likely to be well into his 20s and ready to move on with his life by the time the case went to trial, according to Ray Whitley, District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District.

“The courts just wore us out,” Whitley said. “We finally got it to the point that prosecution on this case was not feasible.”

In conclusion, the case was apparently too hard to prosecute.

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Tennessee Teacher Arrested for Sex with Male Student
[Previous 10/27/07 post]
(Nashville, Tennessee) A 25-year-old history teacher at Gallatin High School, Holly Hatcher, was arrested this week for allegedly engaging in sex with a 17-year-old male student.

Hatcher has been charged in adjacent counties (Davidson and Sumner) with multiple counts of statutory rape.

Court documents indicate that Hatcher, who lives in the Donelson area, and the teenager had sex in Gallatin and in Nashville. Police said the pair had sex on six occasions.

Police began investigating her after receiving information from Gallatin police.

On Thursday, Hatcher was released from the Sumner County Jail after posting a $15,000 bond for three counts of statutory rape. Her bond in Nashville was set at $6,000.

Reportedly, Hatcher admitted to engaging in sex with the boy at a Gallatin boat ramp and at her home. She resigned her teaching position on Thursday.


[Update 01/19/08]

A Sumner County grand jury indicts Hatcher on three counts of statutory rape by an authority figure.