Teacher Valynne Bowers Gets Prison in Sex Case - Updated

(Farmington, Utah) Earlier today, former math teacher Valynne Bowers, 41, was sentenced to two consecutive terms of one-to-15 years in prison. She cried and said she was sorry.

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Teacher Valynne Bowers Guilty in Sex Case - Updated
[Previous 2/14/11 post bumped]
(Farmington, Utah) A second teacher has finally pleaded guilty in the Bountiful Junior High School student-teacher sex scandal.

Valynne Bowers pleaded to two counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.

The former Bountiful Junior High School math teacher struck a plea deal on Monday at the 2nd District Court in Farmington.

Bowers, who previously confessed to having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student, was originally charged with eight first-degree felonies, five rape counts and three forcible sodomy counts.

Sentencing has been scheduled for April 4 when Bowers faces a possible long prison term.

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Teacher Linda Nef Gets Prison in Sex Case - Updated
[Previous 7/22/09 post]
(Farmington, Utah) Before her sentencing at the Davis Justice Center, 46-year-old Bountiful Junior High School teacher Linda Nef apologized to her victim and his family.

Then Judge Rodney Page imposed a sentence of three years to life inprison for attempted aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

Though some may think it a harsh sentence, the judge did not make his decision lightly. He said he could not sleep because he knew that Nef's fate was in his hands.

"I don't doubt, Ms. Nefm (sic) that you were a good teacher," Judge Rodney Page told her. "The difficulty comes in our society, we esteem our teachers to be in the most honorable profession."

Adding that, "We entrust them with the most important commodity we have."

Regarding Valynne Bowers' case, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for next month.

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Utah Teacher Linda Nef Guilty in Sex Case - Update
[Previous 6/20/09 post]
(Farmington, Utah) One of the two Bountiful Junior High teachers accused of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old boy has accepted a plea deal.

Utah studies teacher and cheerleading adviser Linda Nef, 46, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony attempted aggravated abuse of a child. She was originally charged with rape and sodomy.

The plea gives 2nd District Judge Rodney Page the option of imposing either probation or a prison term of three years to life when he sentences Nef on July 21. [...]

Deputy Davis County Attorney Richard Larsen said the victim and his parents family wanted the possibility of probation left open for Nef.

Apparently, Nef's family and her attorney are pushing strongly for probation. Given that Nef is a 46-year-old woman and the boy was only 13, it would seem that probation is entirely out of the question. In any event, I sense an extremely lenient outcome to this case.

Regarding the other Bountiful Junior High teacher, Valynne Bowers, 40, a plea agreement continues to be negotiated. Bowers is scheduled to appear in court on June 29.

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Utah Teacher(s) and Boy, 13
[Previous 3/6/09 post]
(Bountiful, Utah) A 39-year-old teacher at Bountiful Junior High School, Valynne Bowers, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old male student. Bowers allegedly has been engaging in sex with the boy at her home since December 2008.

Furthermore, another female teacher at Bountiful Junior High School has also been accused of sex offenses against the boy. That teacher has yet to be identified to the public. An arrest is expected today.

Bowers was arrested on forcible sodomy of a child and child rape charges. Both teachers have been placed on administrative leave.

Notably, I've seen many cases where one teacher does more than one boy but this is the first time I've seen where one boy allegedly does more than one teacher.


[Update 3/7/09]

The other teacher has been identified as Linda Nef.

"Two teachers at the same school with the same student is a surprise," said Bountiful police Lt. Randy Pickett.

According to police, the teen told Bowers about his affair with the other teacher, Linda Nef. Bowers confronted Nef, who then went to police and confessed.

The Davis County School District says both women passed background checks. Police say Nef resigned earlier this week, but Bowers was still a teacher at the time of her arrest.

"When we look at the charges, first-degree felonies, I don't think there's any other reaction than shock," said Chris Williams, community relations director for the Davis School District.

Heh. One student, two teachers.