Teacher Gets No Jail for Sex Crime

(La Mesa, California) In October 2007, a 22-year-old music teacher and band director at Helix High School, Jessica Ashley Kahal, was arrested for having sex with a 17-year-old male student.

The alleged victim, a senior at the school, said that he had consensual sex with Kahal about five times in various areas of the county since August 2007.

In December 2007, Kahal pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor at least three years younger. El Cajon Superior Court Judge Patricia K. Cookson scheduled sentencing for February 13th. Since Kahal has no prior criminal record, the judge said she wouldn't do jail time.

Yesterday, Judge Cookson sentenced Kahal to three years' probation and 400 hours community service.

Deputy District Attorney Renee Palermo had argued for 120 days jail time since Kahal failed to take responsibility for her actions and blamed the boy for initiating sexual contact. Judge Cookson wasn't listening.

Nothing more to see here, move along.