Teacher Charlene Schmitz Gets 10 Years in Sex Case - Updated

U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose sentenced 55-year-old Charlene Schmitz to 10 years without parole in federal prison, declining to impose a longer sentence sought by prosecutors.

Schmitz also faces potential rape and sodomy charges in Washington County Circuit Court. In light of the federal sentence, it's unclear whether District Attorney Spence Walker will follow through and prosecute.


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Alabama Teacher Sex Case Turns Federal
[Previous 11/28/07 post - bumped]
(Leroy, Alabama) In June 2007, a 54-year-old teacher at Leroy High School, Charlene Schmitz, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy. Schmitz was charged with second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy.

The boy's mother found sexually explicit e-mails on her son's computer, printed them out and took them to the sheriff's office. Schmitz was booked and released on bond.

In the latest developments, Schmitz appeared in court yesterday on a bond hearing for violating the terms of her release. Last Friday, she had been discovered to be in contact with her alleged victim at a football game.

After the hearing, Schmitz was taken into custody by the FBI. Schmitz now faces federal charges of using a computer to entice a child.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 12/01/07]

Schmitz, now 55, appeared in federal court yesterday.

Following the 90-minute hearing in Mobile, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bert Milling Jr. ordered Charlene Schmitz to remain jailed pending trial on a pair of federal enticement charges.

It seems that the prosecution of Schmitz will be vigorous. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Murphy even referred to Schmitz as a sexual predator.


[Update 02/15/08]

Yesterday, Charlene Schmitz was convicted in federal court in Mobile of two counts of child enticement. She faces a possible 10 years to life in prison when sentenced.