09/08/09

A high school teacher charged with sexual battery of a minor was sentenced Tuesday. Former Bliss High School social studies teacher Anna Margaret Bettencourt, 40, of Wendell, is accused of allegedly having sex with a 16-year old male student twice during August and September of 2008.

She was charged with two counts of felony sexual battery of a minor. Both the felony charges carried a maximum penalty of life in prison. Bettencourt pled guilty to one of those counts in June.

Special Prosecutor Mike Seib said under a popular double standard, if a 40 year man and 16 year old girl were involved in this situation, the man would be sent to jail for sure.

Defense attorney James Meservy says just because this is a serious offense, that doesn't mean jail time is necessary.

Fifth District Judge John Butler sentenced Bettencourt up to ten years in prison, with the first three years fixed. He suspended the sentence, and ordered Bettencourt to first serve a six month rider program, before deciding her final fate.