A former Blount County teacher has pleaded guilty to inappropriate sexual behavior with three different high school boys.
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Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey says 30-year-old Ashley Parkins Pruitt was arrested in November 2014 and charged with sex crimes involving three of her former students, all student-athletes.
This week, the case was resolved.
According to AL.com, Pruitt engaged in “deviant sexual intercourse with a student identified as ‘Victim #2,’ engaged in sexual intercourse with a student identified as ‘Victim #3,’ and knowingly sen[t] nude photographs of her breasts and vagina to a student identified as ‘Victim #1’ via Snapchat.”
Former teacher, 30, pleads guilty to sex charges involving 3 students https://t.co/OMSO7PK0bF pic.twitter.com/sy82VXfyN3
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) April 7, 2017
Pruitt pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student and two counts of porn distribution to a minor. A third charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
“I am pleased we were able to resolve this case before trial. These three boys have already been subjected to enough public scrutiny as a result of Ms. Pruitt’s actions,” DA Casey said. “It is not easy for victims of sexual predators to appear at trial to discuss such personal and private matters with 12 jurors and a room full of spectators.”
“Once again, I would like to remind parents of the dangers of social media and smartphones,” she added. “This is just one more example of an adult, this time a teacher, using social media to sexually exploit a child. Sadly, this teacher’s actions make all teachers look bad. That shouldn’t be the case. Blount County has so many great teachers.”
Pruitt will serve one year in jail and two years under house arrest, where she will have to wear an ankle monitor.
She must also register as a sex offender and surrender her teaching licenses.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.