ALABAMA NEWS

Ex-teacher accepts plea deal in Alabama case
September 02, 2010 11:16 EDT

CULLMAN, Ala. (AP) -- A former Cold Springs teacher has accepted a plea deal after his trial began on charges he attempted to extort a male student into exchanging explicit pictures of himself for grades.

Derrick LePard pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the lesser charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Two felony charges were dismissed.

The Cullman Times reports the deal was reached after the jury had heard testimony from two witnesses.

Under the deal, LePard had his Alabama teacher's certification revoked, and is forbidden from reapplying for a certificate to teach in Alabama.

Judge Don Hardeman sentenced LePard to a suspended 12-month sentence and imposed 24 months of unsupervised probation. LePard must also pay $500, plus attorney fees and costs.

LePard maintained his innocence, saying no child pornography was ever on his computer.

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Information from: The Cullman Times, http://www.cullmantimes.com

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