one pennsylvaniaA teacher has been sentenced to prison after admitting to having sex with an underage student, the New York Post reports. Michelle Mercogliano, 36, was sentenced to 15 months in state prison after pleading guilty to institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors. chester county district attorney‘s office said.
“As part of her plea, Mercogliano admitted that she had a sexual relationship with a high school student and provided marijuana to a high school student,” the District Attorney’s Office confirmed.
current ex conestoga high school The teacher is accused of supplying marijuana to the teen and having sex with him on multiple occasions.
Multiple encounters detailed in complaint
Mercogliano allegedly purchased medical marijuana for the student about 15 times from a dispensary in Phoenixville, according to a police complaint cited in the report. The two would then consume it and engage in sexual activity together, often at her parents’ home in Wayne.
Investigators said such encounters occurred about a dozen times.
The student disclosed the incidents to her sister, who in turn notified her parents, leading to the teacher’s arrest last April.
Probation period, registration and professional ban
In addition to jail time, Mercogliano was ordered to complete more than six and a half years of probation. She must also register as a Level 2 sex offender for 25 years.
Authorities said she has had her teaching license revoked and is prohibited from working with children during her probationary period.
Prosecutor says ‘trust was destroyed’
Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe earlier condemned the behavior after her arrest.
“Parents and students should be able to trust their teachers,” he said. “The defendants violated the law and breached that trust. This will not be tolerated.”
