Eustis teacher gets 2 years for sex with schoolboys

The Orlando Sentinel ^ | January 22, 2010 | Stephen Hudak

[inflorida]

TAVARES – A former English teacher and cheer coach at Eustis High School who admitted to sex with schoolboys was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison, despite defense arguments that she poses almost no risk to reoffend.

Laura Lea Pace, 40, of Mount Plymouth, pleaded no contest in December to charges accusing her of having sex with two boys, using marijuana and prescription drugs with them and sending photos of her breasts to one of the boys.

With both boys and their parents watching, Pace burst into tears near the end of the four-hour sentencing hearing in Lake County, fumbling to explain her behavior and apologizing to the teens and to her own family.

"I really am sorry," she said, sobbing loudly. "I can't blame anybody else but me…I understand I was the adult and it was my responsibility to know that there are boundaries and you do not cross them. I crossed them."

Circuit Judge Mark Nacke, who listened to testimony from two therapists who have worked closely with Pace, imposed the 24-month prison term to be followed by 10 years of sex-offender probation. He could have sentenced her to more than 20 years in prison if he had strictly followed Florida sentencing guidelines.

The victims were 15 and 16 when they had sex with Pace during the 2007-08 school year.

[inflorida]

[N. Theknow]

Well, maybe the top of her head is more attractive.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

From the Jury Box...

Y O U - A R E - G U I L T Y

[JRios1968]

Guilty

[DwFry]

GUILTY!

[tgusa]

Owww - my eyes, my eyes!

[70th Division]

THAT is too funny!

[GQuagmire]

guilty indeed...

[ScoochDude]

This is one of those cases where a verdict cannot be rendered until a full body shot is viewed.

With the evidence presented so far, she could possibly reach a plea agreement. Guilty at least of a misdemeanor.

[ErnBatavia]

Slightly better than our local version....this 58 year old assistant principal got arrested on Christmas Eve for boinking a 17 year old pupil...throw away the keys.

[rahbert]

she is so guilty!

[reagan_fanatic]

That would take a lot of tequilas....

*shudder*

[Lazamataz]

I’d hit it.

[Lockbar]

Maybe with a shower and make-up she cleans up well, but I wouldn’t hold out hope. Hope her girl friends in prison will like the look.

[Lazamataz]

I'd hit that until the wrinkles fell out.

[southernnorthcarolina]

Well, maybe the top of her head is more attractive.

[ScoochDude]

With the lights down REAL low, and she pops her teeth out. . .

[csvset]

Prosecutors called Pace's behavior predatory – and said it involved not only sex but drugs and grade-fixing as well.

Olson pointed out that Pace gave one of the boy's a failing grade in English after he broke off their relationship..

That is just wrong. @

[Tax-chick]

despite defense arguments that she poses almost no risk to reoffend

Of course the defense would say that, but it's idiotic. Without consequences, there's every likelihood that she would do it again.

[goldi]

And incredibly stupid too. Kid’s parents ask why he failed Ms. Pace’s English class, kid obligated to tell them, parents obligated to call police. Dumb, just dumb.