Before we dive into the story of 28-year-old teacher Brittni Colleps and the five students she's accused of having sex with, a disclaimer is in order. Any time a teacher takes advantage of a student, she (or he) deserves to be punished. It's an unconscionable betrayal of trust. And yet, there's a lot wrong with the way Colleps is being treated right now.
The former English teacher (yes, she lost her job over the allegations) at a Texas high school allegedly had sex with five different students in her home over the course of two months. All the kids were over 18. But now Colleps could spend 20 years in prison.
Twenty years? I get that what Colleps is accused of is wrong. If she's convicted, she most certainly should be punished. But the fact that these "kids" were all adult males can't be ignored. The threat of 20 years in prison brings a whiff of malicious prosecution to this whole case.
Let's put this in perspective, shall we?
Mary Kay Letourneau had numerous sexual encounters with her 13-year-old student, eventually bearing two of his children. She spent less than eight years in the slammer.
In June of this year, a man named Josh Boyd was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Earlier this year Boyd pleaded guilty to felony murder.
In 2011, a man named Terrence Sundsmo was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in prison. He'd been convicted of possessing more than 4,600 graphic images of child porn, including sadomasochistic imagery.
I'm not saying Brittni Colleps should get off. If she did the crime, she should do some time. But 20 years seems excessive. Here's hoping a judge errs on the side of sense (she could get as little as two).
What do you think would be an appropriate sentence here?
Image via cdsessums/Flickr
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Comments 52
The only thing she did wrong was use her position of 'power'. These men were of age, its not illegal what she did. The punishment to this was already given, she was fired. Nothing else that was done is illegal.
@Vikki H, she isn't a child abuser. These were 18 year old men, not children. There is a difference. Being in high school at the age of 18 doesn't make you a child.
I was 17 dating a 27 yr old marine. Yes, my parents knew about it. Yes, I was consenting. Take her license away because of a breach of the teacher-student conduct (and I would suggest the same for a professor and their current student at a college level), but I dont think she deserves any jail time. I guarantee all of those guys were hot for teacher and were more than ready and willing.
Tonya, you are basically saying it's illegal for the president and his wife to have relations... Your facts of what is ILLEGAL are wrong. Morally not a good idea and illegal are two different things. That's like saying a boss and a consenting employee are committing an illegal act if they have relations. Not true. Not good judgement, but certainly not illegal.
She got 5 years. I think losing her job and right to ever teach again would have been sufficient punishment because they were all over 18.
If she had just waited a few months the school year would have been over and this would be a non-story.
if they were not forced or bribed they are18 and free to sleep with whom ever they wish now i believe she should still lose her job but i dont believe she should serve anytime ine prison thats just my outlook if it were students from another school no body would besaying anything about it ........something to think about........