Bay State Teacher Jailed for Probation Violation - Updated

(Springfield, Massachusetts) Lisa Lavoie, 27, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for violating the terms of her probation.

Hampden Superior Court Judge Cornelius J. Moriarty sentenced Lavoie because she violated a condition of probation that forbid her to have contact with the now 18-year-old man.

The young man, whose name is not being used here because he is the victim of a sexual crime, gave an impassioned appeal to Moriarty to spare Lavoie jail time.

Assistant District Attorney Patrick S. Sabbs had asked for a three to five year prison sentence.

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Bay State Teacher Violates Probation - Updated
[Previous 3/12/12 post]
(Springfield, Massachusetts) During a routine probation check last Friday, former teacher and convicted rapist Lisa Lavoie was found with her victim hiding in a closet. Lavoie was arrested for violating probation.

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Bay State Teacher Gets Probation for Child Rape - Updated
[Previous 1/26/11 ]
(Springfield, Massachusetts) Although the prosecution had asked for three to five years in prison for teacher Lisa Lavoie, Hampden Superior Court Judge Cornelius Moriarty generously sentenced the convicted child rapist to probation for five years.

Moriarty said he thinks Lavoie's "interest and concern for (the boy's) emotional well-being was what originally began this episode," which he said "was originally well-intended." He said it appears Lavoie's kindness toward the boy was what led to his sexual interest in her.

"There are those who perhaps will say this sentence is too lenient," Moriarty said.

"This too shall pass," he told Lavoie.

According to District Attorney Mark Mastroianni, there exists no obvious reason for such a lenient sentence. Frankly, I'd suggest that Judge Moriarty could not have sentenced his own daughter to a more lenient sentence.

So, schoolteacher Lisa Lavoie runs off with a 15-year-old student, crosses several state lines and, after a nationwide search, is found jumping the boy's bones in a motel in West Virginia. She's convicted of rape and sentenced to go home and behave. Yeah, that's justice.

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Massachusetts Teacher Guilty in Rape Case - Updated
[Previous 12/16/10 post]
(Springfield, Massachusetts) Former teacher at Maurice Donahue Elementary School in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Lisa LaVoie, has pleaded guilty to three counts of statutory rape stemming from a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy.

The District Attorney's office is recommending Lavoie serve three to five years in state prison. The maximum penalty she's facing is three consecutive life sentences.

Sabbs says "This is a crime that will not be taken lightly. The District Attorney's office took this very seriously and we recommended a state prison sentence for what she did and we stand by that at this time."

Lavoie was released on personal recognizance and is not to have any contact the victim or his family.

Sentencing has been scheduled for January 26.

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Massachusetts Teacher and Runaway Student Caught in WV
[Previous 2/24/09 post]
(Morgantown, West Virginia) A 24-year-old teacher at Maurice Donahue Elementary School in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Lisa LaVoie, has been arrested in Morgantown for allegedly running off with a 15-year-old student.

The boy's parents notified authorities on February 13 and, on February 16, a search was launched. West Virginia troopers caught LaVoie and the boy earlier today at a Super 8 Motel.

LaVoie is being held on charges of child endangerment. She was booked into custody at the North Central Regional Jail without bond.

Arrangements are underway to return the boy to Massachusetts.