Local News in Brief : El Toro : Teacher Pleads No Contest to Sex Charge
An El Toro High School mathematics teacher has pleaded no contest to a felony charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old student and has submitted his resignation.
Robert John Webber, 44, of Rancho Santa Margarita, signed a statement admitting to engaging in “sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 18 years,” said the prosecutor, Deputy Dist. Atty. Dennis Bauer. After the statement was signed, two related charges against Webber were dropped, Bauer said.
The Sheriff’s Department began an investigation after a substitute teacher reported overhearing the girl telling a friend about the alleged Sept. 23 encounter in Webber’s classroom, Bauer said.
Webber’s entering the no-contest plea in Superior Court Tuesday was not an admission of guilt, but it did indicate that he will not offer a defense.
Webber’s case will be reviewed by the state Education Department to determine whether his teaching credential should be revoked, according to a department spokesman.
Bauer said he will probably request a sentence of five years’ probation, which could include up to a year in jail. Webber’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13.
Defense attorney Stephan A. DeSales said his client would offer no comment at present.
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