Idaho Teacher Sentenced for Sex with Minor - Updated

(Gooding, Idaho) Former Bliss High School teacher Anna Bettencourt has been sentenced for sexual battery of a 16-year-old male student.

Anna Bettencourt, 40, was whisked out of the courtroom in Gooding Monday morning after receiving a sentence of six months in a retained jurisdiction program, called a RIDER, followed by possible court supervision for at least three to 10 years. [...]

The Bettencourt case was handled by special prosecutors, including Jerome County Prosecutor John Horgan, who argued in April for a prison sentence of three to five years. Horgan recently suffered a stroke and Deputy Jerome County Prosecutor Mike Seib stepped in for Monday's sentencing, saying prison isn't the only way to punish Bettencourt. He said a RIDER program could "put stable foundation beneath someone."

Bettencourt lacked a conviction up until Monday. She was apologetic and remorseful before learning her fate.

"I was the adult and should have exercised better judgment, which I did not," said a crying Bettencourt Monday in court while reading a statement.

The former teacher had told authorities the fact that the student told others about their liaisons affected her work.

"I couldn't teach," she told the court. "I was in a living hell."

Bettencourt told Judge John Butler on Monday that she regrets the pain she caused to not only her family, but also "the young man and his family."

She said, "I can't erase what I've done ... But will do whatever it takes to atone for my actions."

Bettencourt is required to register as a sex offender

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Idaho Teacher Guilty of Sex with Minor - Updated
[Previous 6/16/09 post]
(Gooding, Idaho) Former Bliss High School teacher Anna Bettencourt pleaded guilty on Monday to felony sexual battery of a minor stemming from sex episodes with a 16-year-old student, including once on school property.

Anna Bettencourt acknowledged she had improper sexual contact with the boy in 5th District Court on Monday as part of an agreement with prosecutors, who first charged the 39-year-old in February with two felony sexual battery charges.

Jerome County Prosecutor Paul Horgan, who is a special prosecutor in the Gooding County case, dropped 1 of the battery charges and dismissed a $5,000 fine as part of the plea agreement with Bettencourt.

Sentencing has been scheduled for August 25. Reportedly, the prosecution is seeking a prison term of three years.

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Idaho Teacher Accused of Sex with Minor
[Previous 2/19/09 post]
(Gooding, Idaho) A 38-year-old history teacher at Bliss High School, Anna Bettencourt, has been charged with two counts of sexual battery for allegedly engaging in an intimate relationship with a 16-year-old youth.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 19.

It seems the prosecutor's office in Gooding County has a personal link to Bettencourt so it's expected that the court will be petitioned to assign a special prosecutor.

If convicted of sexual battery, Bettencourt reportedly faces a possible sentence of life in prison. I promise to eat my hat if that happens. Bettencourt is female and female sex offenders are customarily treated with leniency.