Oct 22, 2007 10:05 pm US/Central
Former Teacher Pleads Guilty Sex With Student
LE CENTER, Minn. (AP) ―
-
-
Troy Bernard was accused of having sex with the girl from July 2006 to May 2007 at his home in Montgomery.
Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department
A former Montgomery-Lonsdale teacher and coach has pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for having sexual relations with a student for nearly a year, beginning when the girl was 14.
Troy Bernard, 36, entered the plea Monday before his trial was to begin in Le Sueur County District Court. His lawyer, Anthony Nerud, said Bernard did not want a trial because he didn't want the victim testifying in public.
Sentencing was set for Jan. 8. Under sentencing guidelines, Bernard could face up to 12 years in prison. A psychological evaluation will be part of the pre-sentence investigation.
Bernard was accused of having sex with the girl from July 2006 to May 2007 at his home in Montgomery. Bernard taught fifth grade and coached the high school track and volleyball teams.
The girl's mother learned about the allegations through a Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department investigator after a county child protection employee alerted authorities.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
