http://www.timescall.com/ci_18626467
Former Longmont High School teacher gets prison for sex assault on a child
Judge says teachers who have sex with students go to prison
By Pierrette J. Shields Longmont Times-Call
Posted: 08/05/2011 06:09:51 PM MDT | Updated: 3 years ago
BOULDER -- A former Longmont High School teacher was sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of intensively supervised sex-offender probation late Friday afternoon for two felony sex on a child convictions, although the now 17-year-old victim has asked for some "human compassion."
Alex Tinsley, 52, pleaded guilty in June to the two felony charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors dismissed two other sexual assault charges. Boulder District Judge Gwyneth Whalen was left to choose a sentence of between two and six years in prison for the once highly regarded German and Japanese teacher.
"When a teacher has sex with a student, that teacher must go to prison," Whalen said. "It must be clear that this conduct is absolutely unacceptable, and that is the message that must go out to the community because of the elevated position of trust that teachers enjoy in the community."
Whalen said that the plea agreement was a significant concession for Tinsley because he could have faced an indeterminate life sentence had he been convicted at trial of the same charges.
Tinsley, who was out of jail on bond, was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody Friday afternoon.
The sentence was handed down after a lengthy hearing in which the girl's family spoke of the hurt and pain they have endured since finding out about the teacher's affair with the girl, who was 15 at the time. Tinsley's family and friends supported him in court and many spoke on behalf of the popular former teacher.
The girl's parents told the judge that, since last summer's arrest of their daughter's teacher, they have been dealing with anger, animosity, resentment and outrage. They said they feel that Tinsley has shifted blame to their teenage daughter, with whom he admitted to having a sexual relationship.
However, the girl stood to speak and said that she understands her parents' feelings but she hoped that there was room for human compassion. Tinsley also spoke on his own behalf. He said let his friendship with the girl cross lines and that he felt he is worse than a sexual predator.
"A predator does not feel remorse for its victims. A predator preys," he said.
He began his comments by thanking the judge, prosecutors, his attorney and his family and friends. He then said it was most important to apologize to his family and friends for the effect the ordeal has had on them.
"Knowing in my mind, cognitively, I knew I was slipping into something that was not right," he said. "I went ahead and made that decision and now this action of mine has caused suffering and loss."
He also said he felt he had let down the thousands of students he's taught over the years.
"I am a natural born teacher," he said.
Tinsley was arrested last summer after a woman saw him at a coffee shop with a young teenage girl and thought the two behaved as though they were a couple, according to reports. The woman called police and officers confronted the pair.
With the girl's mother's permission, an officer examined the contents of the girl's phone and found evidence of a relationship. Tinsley later detailed the affair to investigators.
Tinsley taught Japanese and German at Longmont High School and also taught karate through an organization unaffiliated with the school. He was arrested shortly before he was scheduled to escort children, including the teenage girl, on a trip to Japan.
The trip, which was not school affiliated, went on without him.
Dr. Spencer Friedman, who has treated Tinsley for a year, said that the former teacher's prognosis is good and the behavior won't be repeated.
Defense attorney Leonard Chesler pointed out to the judge that despite considerable publicity about the case no other victims surfaced.
Pierrette J. Shields can be reached at 303-684-5273 or [email protected].
Former Longmont High School teacher gets prison for sex assault on a child
Judge says teachers who have sex with students go to prison
By Pierrette J. Shields Longmont Times-Call
Posted: 08/05/2011 06:09:51 PM MDT | Updated: 3 years ago
BOULDER -- A former Longmont High School teacher was sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of intensively supervised sex-offender probation late Friday afternoon for two felony sex on a child convictions, although the now 17-year-old victim has asked for some "human compassion."
Alex Tinsley, 52, pleaded guilty in June to the two felony charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors dismissed two other sexual assault charges. Boulder District Judge Gwyneth Whalen was left to choose a sentence of between two and six years in prison for the once highly regarded German and Japanese teacher.
"When a teacher has sex with a student, that teacher must go to prison," Whalen said. "It must be clear that this conduct is absolutely unacceptable, and that is the message that must go out to the community because of the elevated position of trust that teachers enjoy in the community."
Whalen said that the plea agreement was a significant concession for Tinsley because he could have faced an indeterminate life sentence had he been convicted at trial of the same charges.
Tinsley, who was out of jail on bond, was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody Friday afternoon.
The sentence was handed down after a lengthy hearing in which the girl's family spoke of the hurt and pain they have endured since finding out about the teacher's affair with the girl, who was 15 at the time. Tinsley's family and friends supported him in court and many spoke on behalf of the popular former teacher.
The girl's parents told the judge that, since last summer's arrest of their daughter's teacher, they have been dealing with anger, animosity, resentment and outrage. They said they feel that Tinsley has shifted blame to their teenage daughter, with whom he admitted to having a sexual relationship.
However, the girl stood to speak and said that she understands her parents' feelings but she hoped that there was room for human compassion. Tinsley also spoke on his own behalf. He said let his friendship with the girl cross lines and that he felt he is worse than a sexual predator.
"A predator does not feel remorse for its victims. A predator preys," he said.
He began his comments by thanking the judge, prosecutors, his attorney and his family and friends. He then said it was most important to apologize to his family and friends for the effect the ordeal has had on them.
"Knowing in my mind, cognitively, I knew I was slipping into something that was not right," he said. "I went ahead and made that decision and now this action of mine has caused suffering and loss."
He also said he felt he had let down the thousands of students he's taught over the years.
"I am a natural born teacher," he said.
Tinsley was arrested last summer after a woman saw him at a coffee shop with a young teenage girl and thought the two behaved as though they were a couple, according to reports. The woman called police and officers confronted the pair.
With the girl's mother's permission, an officer examined the contents of the girl's phone and found evidence of a relationship. Tinsley later detailed the affair to investigators.
Tinsley taught Japanese and German at Longmont High School and also taught karate through an organization unaffiliated with the school. He was arrested shortly before he was scheduled to escort children, including the teenage girl, on a trip to Japan.
The trip, which was not school affiliated, went on without him.
Dr. Spencer Friedman, who has treated Tinsley for a year, said that the former teacher's prognosis is good and the behavior won't be repeated.
Defense attorney Leonard Chesler pointed out to the judge that despite considerable publicity about the case no other victims surfaced.
Pierrette J. Shields can be reached at 303-684-5273 or [email protected].
http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_15413374?source=most_viewed
Longmont High teacher, karate instructor arrested on suspicion of sex assault
By John Aguilar, Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2010 06:24:15 PM MDT | Updated: 4 years ago
A Longmont High School teacher and karate instructor who is suspected of having sexual contact with an underage girl was arrested Wednesday just hours before he was scheduled to board a plane for Japan with a group of his teenage students.
Alex Tinsley, 51, faces a charge of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust after someone spotted him Tuesday in a Longmont coffee shop with a teenage girl and called police.
Police said Tinsley and the girl, a student of his, told them they were meeting at the shop as part of their normal school activities, but after interviewing the student's mother, police began to suspect that Tinsley had sexual contact with the girl on repeated occasions.
He turned himself in to Longmont police Wednesday afternoon, just before he was scheduled to fly out of Denver for Japan with a group of teenagers who were enrolled in the Longmont Karate Club, where he was an instructor.
Tinsley taught Japanese at Longmont High School, said St. Vrain Valley School District spokesman John Poynton, and has been placed on paid administrative leave while the district investigates.
The parents of the children in the club were notified of the arrest. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Detective Todd Chambers at 303-651-8584.
http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=22580
Longmont High teacher, karate instructor arrested on suspicion of sex assault
By John Aguilar, Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2010 06:24:15 PM MDT | Updated: 4 years ago
A Longmont High School teacher and karate instructor who is suspected of having sexual contact with an underage girl was arrested Wednesday just hours before he was scheduled to board a plane for Japan with a group of his teenage students.
Alex Tinsley, 51, faces a charge of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust after someone spotted him Tuesday in a Longmont coffee shop with a teenage girl and called police.
Police said Tinsley and the girl, a student of his, told them they were meeting at the shop as part of their normal school activities, but after interviewing the student's mother, police began to suspect that Tinsley had sexual contact with the girl on repeated occasions.
He turned himself in to Longmont police Wednesday afternoon, just before he was scheduled to fly out of Denver for Japan with a group of teenagers who were enrolled in the Longmont Karate Club, where he was an instructor.
Tinsley taught Japanese at Longmont High School, said St. Vrain Valley School District spokesman John Poynton, and has been placed on paid administrative leave while the district investigates.
The parents of the children in the club were notified of the arrest. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Detective Todd Chambers at 303-651-8584.
http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=22580