Teacher At Center Of Teen Sex Case Takes Plea Deal
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A former Lauderhill middle school teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her 14-year-old students for nearly a year accepted a plea deal from prosecutors Monday that will send her to prison for three years, but not label her a sexual predator.
Kristen Sullivan, 27, was reportedly offered two deals: the first would label her a sexual predator but keep her out of prison; the other, which she took, was for prison time, but she wouldn't be labeled a sexual predator.
Sullivan's attorney said that the youth involved in the case was part of the reason the plea bargain was offered.
"We were looking at up to 90 years in Florida State Prison," said defense attorney Bradford Cohen. "Tthe reason why we got the two options that we did get was because there was a significant evidence that the youth was having kinda having a free-for-all in school."
Arrested in 2010, Kristen Sullivan allegedly had more than 100 sexual contacts with the teen and even gave him gifts, including marijuana, during their relationship.
According to police, Sullivan's affair with the teen was uncovered after his girlfriend found incriminating text messages on his cellphone. The phone had been a gift from Sullivan on his 14th birthday.
Sullivan, who is out on $75,000 bond, is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 17 by a person with custodial authority.
Sullivan will be formally sentenced to three years in jail on January 3rd when she will surrender herself to authorities.
The former teacher will end up serving roughly 25 months in prison.
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