Sex Case Gets Ex-Teacher 26 Years in Prison

A former teacher who had sex with students in school and spoke about it on national TV was sentenced Thursday to 26 years in prison after being scolded by a judge for robbing his victims’ childhood.

Ronald Price, 48, a social studies teacher who coached girls softball and advised the drama club, was convicted Sept. 8 of sexually abusing three students, one of whom had just turned 15 when she started having sex with him.

The girls testified about having sex with Price in classrooms, offices, dressing rooms, the football stadium press box and a catwalk above the school auditorium at Northeast high in suburban Pasadena, Md.

“You had sex all over a public institution. It’s almost unbelievable,” Judge Eugene Lerner told Price. “You robbed the children of their normal childhood years.”

Price showed little emotion as Lerner sentenced him to more than twice the 12 years recommended in state sentencing guidelines. Price would be eligible for parole in about five years.

Lerner said he might reduce the sentence if Price cooperates with police investigating allegations that other teachers at the school also had sex with students. Two other teachers have been charged with sexual abuse of students.