Nebraska Teacher Gets Prison in Boy-Sex Case - Updated

(Omaha, Nebraska) Last Friday, 37-year-old former Millard North Middle School teacher Stephanie Draper was sentenced to two years in prison.

Draper received one year in prison on each charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and procuring alcohol for a minor.

The boy, now an adult, testified that Draper gave him alcohol and cigarettes, took his virginity and taught him how to perform oral sex. He said he began smoking marijuana to cope with the pain of being molested.

He cut and burned himself, he said, and stopped going to high school because he couldn't trust his teachers. He also described having trust problems with friends, especially girls.

Under sentencing guidelines, Draper may only serve one year.

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Nebraska Teacher Pleas to Reduced Charges - Updated
[Previous 12/9/09 post]
(Omaha, Nebraska) After 15 hours of deliberation last July, a jury failed to convict Stephanie Draper of first-degree sexual assault. She was scheduled for retrial this week, however, Draper decided to accept a plea deal on Monday, admitting to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and procuring alcohol for a minor.

Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Matt Lierman said today that he deferred to the man's wishes about how to proceed with the case.

“The victim wanted an acknowledgment of responsibility,” Lierman said. “She’s still facing up to two years of incarceration as a basis of this plea.

“He’s happy with it.”

Draper’s attorney, Chris Perrone, said the plea to the reduced charges “was definitely in her best interests.”

The plea agreement eliminates the possibility of Draper being required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for February 5.

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Nebraska Teacher Accused of Sex Assault of Boy
[Previous 7/23/08 post]
(Omaha, Nebraska) A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a former teacher at Millard North Middle School, Stephanie Draper, 35, for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old, eighth-grade boy six years ago.

The alleged sexual assaults happened during the Spring school year of 2002. The court records show Stephanie Draper befriended the boy by taking him to dinner and talking on cell phones. The victim claims it soon turned sexual with his teacher making advances.

He described to investigators "four incidents of sexual assaults, including intercourse" at her Sarpy County home and her property near Blair. He claims it happened while her husband was away. The court papers say they had been drinking.

The investigator asked the alleged victim, why come forward six years later? He said it was "wrong what she did to him." And even after joining the military, it still bothers him. Earlier this year, he allegedly contacted Draper and asked her for $5,000 to keep him from going to police. He told investigators he felt, "she needed to pay for what she had done."

Draper resigned her teaching position last year when the allegations surfaced. She is currently wanted to face a charge of first-degree sexual assault of a child.