A school band teacher has been jailed for statutory rape after admitting having sex with a 16-year-old student. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Devri Ann DePriest was recorded on tape confessing to the underage sex and sleeping with the High School student at least 20 times over a two month period.
Police in Gallatin, Tennessee, secretly recorded the 25-year-old talking with her former lover after they launched an investigation into their relationship.
DePriest was also recorded talking to the teen’s mum in a ‘sting operation’ staged by police in Gallatin.
‘During this call the defendant made additional incriminating statements admitting to her sexual relationship with the victim,’ said an arrest affidavit.
DePriest worked at Rucker-Stewart Middle School in the small town but was assisting staff at the High School with their band programme when the alleged crime took place.
The relationship with the boy, who went to the town’s High School, came to light after he told his parents.
Sgt. Bill Storment of the Gallatin Police Dept said the relationship took place from September to November 2010.
I don’t know if the relationship or the friendship or interaction between the student and the teacher lasted beyond that three month period,’ said Storment.
The teen, now 17, came forward with his mother to police on Monday.
Storment added: ‘I don’t know if the mother found out accidentally or if he revealed it to her.’
Jeremy Johnson, director of schools in Sumner County, said DePriest has been ‘suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal case against her.’
Cedric Campbell, a parent who has son at Rucker-Stewart Middle School said he was shocked to hear of DePriest’s arrest.
