'Exactly what we were hoping for': Former STM teacher convicted of sex crimes sentenced to 7 years
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Former Saint Thomas Moore and North Vermilion High School teacher, Jacob De La Paz, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison Friday.
The former educator went to trial for two sex crimes in May after sending a sexually explicit video to a then 17-year-old he was tutoring.
De La Paz's attorney says he's pleased with the judge's decision.
"It's exactly what we were hoping for," attorney Kevin Stockstill said.
Stockstill explains De La Paz went to trial in May for two sex crime charges. Count one was attempted production of child porn. Count two was attempted possession of child porn.
A jury convicted the former teacher of attempted possession but was hung on attempted production.
"We were potentially going to have to retry count one because of the hung jury. With a hung jury, the court declared a mistrial," Stockstill said.
However, Stockstill said the government and the defense agreed on a plea bargain for attempted production. So, they did something unusual. It was a first in Stockstill's 29-year career.
They entered into a special plea agreement that allowed both parties, the defense and the prosecution, to agree to a specific sentence. They decided on seven years. Then it was up to a federal judge to approve it.
"I guess the question was whether or not the court was going to impose a seven-year, 84-month sentence, as he did with the agreed-upon plea agreement, and he did. So that's exactly what we were hoping would happen. We're relieved that that's what the sentence is, and that this is finally over," Stockstill said.
Before his sentencing, De La Paz read a letter to the court and the judge and described his conduct as "illegal, unethical, and inappropriate."
He said he was ashamed of the embarrassment he caused his family, the education community and the schools where he was formerly employed.
"He's always been remorseful, and a lot of clients don't want to accept responsibility. But he certainly did," his attorney said.
De La Paz's attorney said they will not be seeking an appeal.