Victorville, CALIFORNIA

May 23, 2008 - Mark Lizama, 44, a Silverado High School teacher, was sentenced to the maximum prison term of three years and eight months.

Lizama was placed on leave in April 2005 after student complaints about inappropriate comments and touching. He was arrested in June 2005, accused of having sex with girls at the school and providing alcohol to students. In April 2008, jurors found Lizama guilty of sexual intercourse and oral copulation after a two-day trial. The sex acts happened in 2001 when he was 38 and the girl was 17.

After the guilty verdict Superior Court Judge Eric Nakata ordered Lizama held on a $1 million bond, remanding him because, according to the Daily Press, the judge was concerned about the safety of the witnesses who testified against the teacher.

The same judge was unconvinced of any remorse at sentencing. Lizama asked for a second chance and said he prayed for the victim. He also submitted a letter of recommendation for employment from Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, in hopes it would lessen his sentence. Baca learned of it, and sent a letter to Deputy District Attorney Kathleen DiDonato, rescinding his letter of recommendation for Lizama, a letter that was written before Lizama's arrest.

April 9, 2008 - Background: Lizama trial
April 10, 2008 - Trial alleging teacher’s sex with student comes to close

Full Name: Mark Anthony Lizama