Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA

ARRESTED: May 25, 2007 -
Daniel Velasco, 33, a a teacher at one of the College-Ready Academy High schools (charter school) was arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female student.

The student left her cellphone in a restroom and another student took it to the principal's office. While checking the phone to try to find out who it belonged to, the principal recognized a number for a teacher at the school and found "disturbing images and sexually explicit text messages involving the teacher and the girl."

From the Los Angeles Police Department Press Release:
Detectives' follow up investigation revealed the teacher and the student have been sexually involved for approximately 2 months. On May 21, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed seven counts of Lewd Acts with a Child Under 16. Velasco's bail was set at $250,000.
From LASD Inmate Information: Next court date is June 1.

PLEA AND SENTENCED: August 2 - Velasco pleaded no contest ("You can probably prove it in a court of law, but I dont' want to take a chance.") to committing a lewd act involving a 15-year-old female student. He was sentenced to 180 days in county jail and five years' probation.

Six other charges against him were dismissed as a result of the plea.

He must also undergo a year of sexual offender counseling and register as a sex offender for life.