Teacher Gets 45 Days in Student Sex Case - Updated

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Teacher Accused of Indecency with Female Student
[Previous 4/15/08 entry]

(Raleigh, North Carolina) A 33-year-old social studies teacher at Sanderson High School, Shannon Lynn Best, has resigned her position after being accused of taking indecent liberties with an 18-year-old female student.

It's unknown how the authorities became aware of the episode. Police stated that criminal charges are being pursued even though a muffins and butter session with an 18-year-old female is not customarily illegal. However, it is illegal because of the teacher-student relationship.

The female-female indecency occurred at an undisclosed residence over the weekend.


[Update 06/18/08]

Shannon Lynn Best, now reported to be 29, pleaded guilty earlier today to an attempted crime against nature and giving alcohol to a minor. Best was then sentenced to 45 days in jail and 18 months probation.

Correction: The 45 days were suspended.


[Update 06/19/08]

Interesting comment in an email received from reader Shane:

Here's one for "Women Without Troubles"

Wake ex-teacher pleads guilty to sex charge involving student

Wait a minute! Didn't I say, "Women Without Troubles?" If she pled guilty, how could that be? She has no troubles, because the judge gave her a 45 day sentence, then suspended the sentence, a year and a half of unsupervised probation, and a fine of $250. She doesn't have to register as a sex offender, and can even go back into teaching, as she will not be required to give up her license. If most female sex offenders get away with a slap on the wrist, this woman didn't even get her wrist slapped.

The outcome of this case makes it hard to determine who is the biggest slimeball: the teacher who committed the crime, the DA who threw the case, or the judge who sentenced her.

Her lawyer had this to say about the outcome:

"Her whole life was planned around being a teacher, and apparently, she was a very good teacher from all I've learned," Turner said. "Hopefully, somewhere, someone down the line will give her an opportunity again."

Yeah, another opportunity to victimize a student.

Heh. And thanks, Shane.