Sex with students isn't a game. It's a betrayal.
Mar 17 - Norman Patterson, 46, a teacher and coach at Fort Laramie Middle School and Lingle-Fort Laramie High School, has had his trial rescheduled to May 7 when jury selection will begin.
Patterson faces 12 felony counts, six counts of second-degree sexual assault and and six counts of immoral and indecent behavior with a minor (16-year-old-girl.) The judge had scheduling conflicts. The previous judge recused himself as he was acquainted with both parties involved.
Patterson is charged with allegedly having sexual contact on numerous occasions with a female team member beginning in the year 2002, while he was her coach. He pleaded not guilty in his arraignment on October 17, 2006.
Full Name: Norman "Buddy" Patterson
GUILTY PLEA: May 26 - Patterson pleaded guilty to two felony charges that he had a sexual relationship with a student. His trial was set to start in two weeks. Patterson pleaded guilty to two charges of immoral and indecent liberties with a minor. The other 10 charges were dismissed.
The plea agreement recommended to the judge that Patterson receive a three- to seven-year sentence in the Wyoming State Penitentiary on one charge and a four- to seven-year suspended sentence on the other. The judge is not obligated to follow the recommendation.
The judge advised Patterson that because it was a sexual offense, he would be required to sign in as a sex offender wherever he lived after his incarceration.
Patterson is married and has four children ages 14 to 21.
Sentencing will be in six to eight weeks. Meanwhile, the judge denied bail and ordered Patterson to remain in detention
SENTENCED: August 24 - Patterson was sentenced to three to seven years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a student in 2002 and 2003. He also received a suspended sentence of four to seven years on the other. He will be placed on 10 years of probation when he is released from prison, and he will be registered as a sex offender.
Patterson apologized to the victim and her family. He then apologized to his wife and four daughters who were sitting behind him in the courtroom, saying that he has robbed himself of years of being with his family.
He was 42-years-old at the time. She was 16.The initial sexual contact took place in 2002 at Patterson's home, [Prosecuting attorney Patrick] Korell said.
Afterward, the victim told a counselor that something had happened, and the counselor warned the family. The parents confronted Patterson, and he told them nothing had happened and nothing would ever happen.
“He said, ‘Why would you make this up and lie about something like that?'”
