Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 30 Aug 2026, 06:37 am Print
US Crime US teacher gets 7-year prison sentence over sexual relationship with 17-year-old student. Photo: Charlotte County Sheriff's Office/Website
An American teacher has been sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by 15 years of sex offender probation after pleading guilty to having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old student on school premises.
Heather Marie Mashburn-Smith was arrested on April 29 and charged with unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, according to an affidavit from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, ABC7 reported.
Mashburn-Smith, 37, was a teacher in Charlotte County and was accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a student.
According to an earlier statement from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, detectives investigating the case developed probable cause to arrest Mashburn-Smith for having sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old student on a school campus on two occasions.
Mark Vianello, superintendent of Charlotte County Public Schools, said the teacher's actions were a direct violation of the responsibility educators have towards students and their families.
"The actions of this individual are a direct violation of the duty every educator owes to students and families. We will not tolerate anything that compromises student safety," Vianello said.
He added that Mashburn-Smith had been placed on administrative leave while the school district worked with law enforcement and pursued accountability.
Mashburn-Smith was charged under Florida Statute 794.05, which covers unlawful sexual activity with certain minors. The charge was enhanced to a first-degree felony because of her position as a teacher.
She was booked into the Charlotte County Jail following her arrest.
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