Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — A former high school science teacher who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a student was sentenced to at least eight years and up to life in prison Monday, the maximum penalty in the case.
Donald Bills, 55, told the teenage girl she was one of his favorite students and "one of the brightest," when she took science from him in 2012, the Daily Herald of Provo (http://bit.ly/1FdCPVd) reported.
They continued talking after she finished the class, and the abuse began with kissing in the following year, prosecutors said. It only ended after one of the 17-year-old girl's friends saw graphic texts from him on her phone and told school administrators.
"He told me over and over again it was my fault," the victim testified during a sentencing hearing. "I was in such a dark place. I remained silent so that way, the only person who would get hurt was me."
She said that Bills used his local leadership role in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to justify the abuse, and the ordeal has shaken her religious faith. Since the charges against him were filed, the victim says her car has been vandalized and egged. The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual abuse.
"I see you for what you truly are, a monster," the victim told Bills. "I will be dealing with this for the rest of my life. You had no right."
Bills apologized Monday and said he takes full responsibility in the case, though his lawyer attorney Stephen Frazier says a traumatic brain injury affected ex-teacher suffered years ago affected his impulse control.
But prosecutor Craig Johnson said the defendant groomed the girl and planned every step of the abuse.
Bills pleaded guilty to five felony charges in the case, including attempted sodomy, attempted object rape and forcible sexual abuse.
Judge James Taylor ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, citing the gravity and circumstances the crimes as he leveled the maximum penalty.
"We place great trust in our teachers," he said.
___
Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldextra.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
