June 26, 2007

A Charlottesville high school choir teacher charged with molesting some of his students pleaded guilty Tuesday morning.

Jonathan Spivey was charged with seven counts of molesting four of his teenage male students but he told a judge he was only guilty for one of the charges.

The 47-year-old high school teacher pleaded guilty to one count of custodial indecent liberties. He entered an Alford plea on three other charges, admitting prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him. The other three charges were not prosecuted.

"It's described at consensual, but inappropriate because with a teacher, not a situation where we could have a rape charge" said assistant Commonwealth's attorney Elizabeth Kileen.

Now Spivey faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, but prosecutors say his sentence will probably be closer to one or two years. The plea Tuesday spares his four alleged victims from recounting events on the stand and their teacher from hearing the detailed accounts.

"Same sex sexual contact with a teacher is difficult for anyone to talk about I thank the victims for coming forward and difficult thing for them to do and hope they can begin healing process now" said Sgt. Lee Sidebottom of the Charlottesville Police.

The lead detective in the case and CHS graduate spoke Tuesday saying it was difficult for her to investigate some one she knew but that she is satisfied with the outcome.

The charge Spivey pleaded guilty to is apparently one of the more egregious charges. Prosecutors say in that case he molested that student more than 20 times.

Prosecutors did not ask to revoke Spivey's bond so he remains free until his sentencing hearing on September 27th.