Santee

A former teacher at Santana High School in Santee was sentenced Friday to six months in County Jail for having sex with a 17-year-old male student from another school.

Donald Bender, 56, of Lemon Grove was put in custody immediately after sentencing by San Diego Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos.

Benjamin Dillingham, chief of staff for San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor, testified as a character witness for Bender. “We’re both volunteers at the AIDS Project,” Dillingham said.

Bender’s attorney, William Nimmo, argued for a sentence requiring Bender to perform volunteer work for the AIDS Project.

“We’re dealing with a very good human being. He’s unlikely to repeat this offense. This man has a good, strong character,” Nimmo said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Boles opposed the request for volunteer work at the AIDS Project, saying that it was not punishment to perform work at a place where he is already contributing.

“The victim was young and seduced by the defendant and was offered marijuana,” Judge Exarhos said. He fined Bender $200, ordered him to register as a sex offender, and placed him on five years’ probation. Bender was further ordered not to associate with minors and not to frequent places where minors congregate.

The former teacher could have been sentenced to three years in state prison.

Bender taught American government and economics before his arrest April 29. He pleaded guilty June 5 to committing sodomy with a minor, a felony. Bender took an early retirement rather than risk being fired.