North Babylon, NEW YORK

Jan 4, 2007 - Danny Cuesta, a North Babylon High School teacher, was sentenced to 15 months in jail for a two-year relationship with a 15-year-old girl. His first trial ended in a mistrial after a jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges. A week later, he pleaded guilty.

From a Nov 2, 2006 story, also from Newsday:

Prosecutors also said that as part of the plea deal, they would drop a pending investigation into charges by two other girls that Cuesta had sex with them.

[TT - Newsday and other publications frequently reported during the trial that the girl claimed Cuesta "raped her" despite the fact that the girl acknowledged the relationship was voluntary, and the charges were statutory rape.]

[TT- Overlawyered blogged on "Mom tells of Daughter's 'Rape' Scheme" (Problem with links.) However, the mother, a defense witness, "had a hard time keeping her story straight," Newsday, Oct 19. The mother and father are in the middle of a messy divorce. The mother's attorney was reported to be worried about charges that might be brought against his client.]
NEW NEW NEW Update: Jan 23, 2007 - Melissa Cuesta, a special education teacher, wife of Danny Cuesta was arrested and charged with perjury. Prosecutors believe she lied on the stand when she provided an alibi for her husband. She pleaded not guilty.

Update June 6 - Melissa Cuesta pleaded guilty to perjury. She will be sentenced Aug 1.

SENTENCED: August 1 - Melissa Cuesta, 26, was sentenced to three years' probation.

Melissa Cuesta was supported in court by her mother and two fellow teachers. Her attorney, Joseph Cozzo, said she faces a 3-year suspension from her teaching job at Beach Street Middle School, although school officials wrote letters of support to the court for her.