Teacher's Aide Guilty of Statutory Rape of Boys

(Jefferson County, Tennessee) A teacher's aide at Jefferson County High School, Margaret L. Holt, 37, was convicted this week of statutory rape of two male students between the ages of 14 and 16.

The incidents, which occurred in the fall of 2008, were both alleged to have taken place off of school grounds. One occurred before school when Ms. Holt picked up the male student and drove to a remote location where the two had intercourse in her vehicle. Detective Mike Kearney of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department led the investigation.

After two days of trial, the jury deliberated for over an hour before returning a verdict finding the defendant guilty on one county of statutory rape by an authority figure and one county of attempted statutory rape by an authority figure. After the verdict was reached, Judge Duane Slone revoked the defendant's bond and placed her into custody.

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 1, 2010.