Crozet, VIRGINIA

Sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without possibility of parole.

ARRRESTED: Apr 4, 2007 -
Neal Willetts, 26, a social studies teacher at Western Albemarle High School, was arrested, accused of engaging in sex acts with his students.

Willetts is facing federal charges for engaging in sex acts with minors and for sexually exploiting children.

Federal prosecutors say Willetts victimized eight students at various schools, his first victim a high school student in Hawaii. And then in 2005, the University of Virginia Curry School graduate began teaching at Western Albemarle High School.

Prosecutors say he engaged in sexual acts with two male students at Western and another student at Fluvanna High School.

Prosecutors say he also used pictures of one victim to try and entice other students to participate in group acts.

Willetts attorney and parents were at the hearing today, fighting for Willetts' release on bond. A judge denied that request.

According to testimony the students may have been willing participants, but prosecutors say this teacher was in a position of authority and that makes it a crime.

Full Name: Richard Neal Willetts

WCAV: Outside of class, on an online profile site, Willetts listed more than 50 current high school students as "friends." Prosecutors say he also used the internet to send pictures of one victim to try to entice other students.

Apr 5 - Daily Progress: He had most recently been working in the Middle East and recently returned to New York, where he was taken into custody by the FBI. According to prosecutors, Willetts admitted to using the Internet to coerce minors into sexual acts.

Apr 7 - School officials in Hawaii are talking to employees who worked with Willetts to find out if a victim could have attended Punahou.

Apr 10 - The judge ruled that Willetts, 26, should remain in custody until the case goes to trial. No date was given.

GUILTY PLEA: Sept 17 - Willetts pleaded guilty to sending graphic sexual messages to a student over the Internet. During an interview with an FBI agent, Willetts admitted to having inappropriate contact with other minors over the Internet, Gould said in court.Authorities previously said that there were as many as eight potential victims in the case. He could spend a decade in prison if a federal judge accepts his plea agreement at a Dec. 4 sentencing. He could be required to register as a sex offender under the plea agreement.

SENTENCED Dec 4 - Willetts was sentenced to ten years years in federal prison. There is no parole in federal sentencing.