« Lafave Knew She Could Get In Trouble, Documents Show | Main | Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus »
December 6, 2007
Ex-Teacher 'Contrite,' But She'll Face Prison
Topics: General
Ex-teacher Jaymee Wallace asked for leniency but was sentenced to three years in prison.
TAMPA - After a three-hour, emotional hearing filled with apologies, tears and requests for mercy, a former Wharton High School teacher and basketball coach was sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years probation after pleading guilty to a sexual relationship with one of her students.
In the moments preceding the sentence, Jaymee Wallace, 30, begged Circuit Judge J. Rogers Pagett to spare her from prison time.
"I am truly sorry for crossing the lines and boundaries that should not have been crossed," she said while reading from a prepared statement. She shook so uncontrollably that her attorney had to hold still her notes. "My heart is truly contrite."
Wallace said she has lost her career, she lost a baby to miscarriage from the stress of her criminal prosecution and she worried greatly about losing her freedom.
When Padgett passed sentence, Wallace stood stunned. In the back of the courtroom, her husband stood and watched as bailiffs placed Wallace in handcuffs and began the fingerprinting process. Wallace's mother wailed.
Sentence Just, Victim's Parents Say
For the parents of Wallace's victim, then a 14-year-old girl unsure of her sexuality, the sentence was just and necessary.
"Ms. Wallace, I do accept your apology," the victim's mother said in court. "At the same time, I want justice."
After the hearing, reporters questioned Wallace's attorney about another Tampa teacher who pleaded guilty to having sexual contact with an underage student. In 2005, Debra Lafave received house arrest.
In Lafave's case, attorney Joe Bodiford said, the victim's mother agreed to a plea deal that did not include prison. The parents of Wallace's victim were adamant that she be punished.
"The moms made the difference," he said.
Assistant State Attorney Kimberly Hindman said the relationship began in 2003. The victim, then 14, told Wallace that she was confused about her sexuality. In response, Wallace stapled a note to her math test.
"I find you attractive," the note read.
Over nearly two years, as people began to find out about the relationship, countless lives were affected by Wallace's deceit, the mother said in court. Family members are not being named to protect the victim's identity.
Wallace, the mother said, orchestrated a situation where she could be close to the teenager, conducted an illegal relationship then instructed everyone with knowledge to lie about it.
The relationship continued even after Wallace married in the summer of 2004.
As rumors swirled around the hallways and classroom of Wharton High, school officials twice investigated the allegations of Wallace's sexual conduct. Through the investigations, the relationship continued.
When the victim began to see another girl, Wallace retaliated, prosecutors said. Wallace told the victim's mother that the new girlfriend was a poor student. Wallace suggested that the mother keep the victim away from the new girlfriend.
Wallace tried to get information about the new girlfriend from the victim's younger sister, often showing up at her workplace in tears.
The mother said in court that she never suspected Wallace was victimizing her daughter.
"I trusted Jaymee, your honor, with my daughter," she said.
In court Wednesday, the younger sister testified that she once walked in on Wallace and her sister. They were naked and engaged in a sex act.
Wallace warned her: "You have to take this to your grave."
Eventually, relatives went to police after they said the victim, her new girlfriend and Wallace got into a fight. During an investigation, the victim admitted to the sexual conduct.
In 2005, Wallace was charged with lewd and lascivious battery and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
Many attempts at plea negotiations fell apart. She faced up to 15 years in prison on each charge. Prosecutors and the victim's family wanted her to serve at least three years. Wallace hoped for probation.
In October, Wallace pleaded guilty. Sentencing was left entirely to the judge.
Wallace Supporters Rally
On Wednesday, Wallace walked into court with more than two dozen supporters. Eric Bade, who spoke with his wife, said Wallace spent numerous hours tutoring their daughter.
"There was never a moment where we doubted her integrity," he said.
He pointed out that Wallace has a 10-month-old child and asked the judge to spare the child from her mother's absence in prison. Prosecutors pointed out that Wallace was out on bail and knew she faced prison time when she decided to have a child.
Doug Hinders, pastor at Grace Family Church, said Wallace and her husband have excelled in a married couples' group.
"I can testify that she has grown as a mother, has grown as a person and has grown spiritually," Hinders said.
Others described Wallace as "fun," "energetic," and a superb teacher and coach.
Wallace's mother said Wallace was a prom queen, a salutatorian, class president and an excellent dancer and basketball player. The decision to have an abortion, and the following regret, caused her to fall into a depression leading to her poor judgment.
The victim's father was not swayed.
Although the victim has said she did not want Wallace to go to prison, her father said he and her mother were not as quick to walk away.
His daughter once dreamed of going to college then playing in the Women's National Basketball League. Although Wallace helped her with her grades and coached her to a basketball scholarship, the victim has dropped out of school and joined the military to "get away from the drama" caused by this case.
If Wallace wants to take credit for the young woman's successes, she also must take responsibilities for her problems, the father said.
Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.
Posted by admin at December 6, 2007 2:43 PM
