Biology teacher who had sex with five students spared jail
Some sex acts are believed to have taken place on school property, according to officials
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A biology teacher who admitted to having sex with five 17-year-old pupils has been spared jail.
Marquita Alston pleaded guilty to five counts of statutory rape at the Pearl Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
She was given five years’ probation and ordered to sign the sex offender register.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said its Sex Crimes Unit started investigating Ms Alston in November 2014. It concluded she had performed sex acts on five different pupils between September and November 2014. Some of the acts took place on school property, according to officials.
The police were alerted to her actions after the school’s principal, Sonia Stewart, was sent a tip-off.
In addition to her probation, Ms Alston will have to undergo treatment, the details of which have not been specified.
She was placed on administrative leave in November 2014, but resigned one week later, reports WKRN.
Following her absence, police interviewed a number of students.
Student safety is always our number one priority,” a spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments