Grand Coulee, WASHINGTON

NO PRISON OR JAIL TIME for teacher who met the girl when she was in his sixth grade class and began having sex with her when she was 14. The relationship continued for about eight months.
He was 50. They sent pictures of their genitals to each other. Isn't that endearing?

July 17, 2007 -
Vernon E. Heizer, 50, a sixth grade teacher at Grand Coulee Middle School, was arrested and charged with booked on suspicion of second-degree rape of a child, third-degree rape of a child, third-degree child molestation and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

Police have been working on the investigation for several months. The age and relationship of the child are being withheld.

Source: Spokesman Review
Also see The Chronicle LINK and KXLY coverage.
Photo: Okanagon County Sheriff's Office

Update July 24 - The newspaper refers to the sexual relationship as "an affair." The victim was 14-years-old when the contact began. Heizer was her teacher. Heizer gave the girl a cell phone and that they called each other and sent text messages back and forth over a period of several months. They each sent each other pictures of their genitals. [TT-reminder that he is age 50]

The court agreed to a public defender because although, Heizer is employed as a teacher making about $34,000 a year, [Judge] Allan found that he "probably would have a problem with employment" as a result of the allegations.

ARRESTED AGAIN: Sept 15 - Heizer was arrested for staking and violating a protection order. Detectives said after Heizer was bailed out, they received several reports of Heizer stalking the victim from the previous case around the victim's home and school. The girl told police that she didn't think he would hurt her because he was a husband, a police officer, a teacher and a father.

RESIGNATION SETTLEMENT Oct 10 - The school district has reached a "settlement" of $15,000 with Heizer for his resignation.

The settlement, for $15,000, which was structured by district legal counsel Greg Stevens, was presented to Heizer at Okanogan County Jail last Wednesday by Kathy Huston and Loe. Huston is the union representative for the district's certificated teaching staff. The two met twice with Heizer before final agreement could be reached.

His resignation will be submitted Oct 22.

TRIAL POSTPONED March 6, 2008 - A trial scheduled for Tuesday was continued to March 27 when Heizer is expected to plea. The former teacher also faces a stalking charge, where he is accused of violating a court order to stay away from the student. Heizer's trial date on that charge is scheduled in Okanogan County Superior Court April 1. Heizer is currently being held in the county jail awaiting his trial.

GUILTY PLEA - March 13 - Heizer pleaded guilty to charges of child rape and child molestation.

He has not been sentenced yet, but the standard range on the rape charge is anywhere from 26 to 34 months and 15 to 20 months for child molestation. Those sentences would run concurrently.

If the court sentences him under the classification of "Special sex offender" he could receive treatment in place of some of the jail time he is facing.

SENTENCED (SORTA) May 17 - Heizer was sentenced Friday in Okanogan County Superior Court to two years and 10 months, but a judge SUSPENDED all but the nine months he already has spent in jail.

Heizer can stay out of prison by successfully completing three to four years of outpatient sex offender treatment and meeting other conditions. The family of the victim agreed so she would not have to testify.