Student-Teacher Gets No Jail in Sex Case - Update

(Harrisonburg, Virginia) Former student-teacher at Turner Ashby High School, Ashley Esposito, now 25, pleaded guilty yesterday in Rockingham County Circuit Court to felony sodomy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in accordance with an agreement with the prosecution.

In exchange, Esposito was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge T.J. Wilson to six years in prison, with all but two months suspended. In addition, she was ordered to register as a sex offender.

Rockingham County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Clark Ritchie said Esposito's actions are intolerable, especially because she violated a position of authority.

"It's not simply a crime because of the age but because of the role she had as a teacher," said Ritchie following the hearing. "She was entrusted with the education and welfare of juveniles. Taking advantage of that role is unacceptable."

Ritchie said she violated that trust when she had a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old boy in December 2007 after leaving her student-teaching position at the high school at the end of the semester.

According to sentencing guidelines, Esposito won't do any time behind bars. Of course, as a registered sex offender with a felony sodomy conviction, Esposito's aspirations for a career in education are likely no longer achievable.


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Student-Teacher Faces Sex Charges
[Previous 2.28/08 post]
(Harrisonburg, Virginia) A 24-year-old former student-teacher at Turner Ashby High School, Ashley Esposito, was arrested last week for an alleged sexual relationship with an underage student and for allegedly providing alcohol to students.

The alleged offenses occurred after Esposito left her student-teacher position.

Esposito has been charged with two felonies: sodomy, and taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship, stemming from an incident at her apartment on Dec. 17, according to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office and the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

Esposito was booked and released on $3,000. A court appearance is scheduled for May 8.


[Update 9/12/08]

From DNRonline.com:

A former Turner Ashby High School student-teacher was found guilty Thursday of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and felony charges alleging she sexually abused a former student were certified to go before a grand jury.

Judge Marvin Hillsman convicted Ashley Esposito, 24, during a hearing in Rockingham County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Esposito was fined $350 and sentenced to 10 months in jail, with six months suspended, after being found guilty of buying alcohol for former students and providing them with booze at a party at her Harrisonburg apartment.

Esposito also faces felony charges of sodomy and taking indecent liberties with a child. The felony charges are scheduled to go before a grand jury next week.


[Update 10/21/08]

Esposito indicted on charges of sodomy and taking indecent liberties with a child.