Estimated read time: 1-2 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
FARMINGTON -- A Bountiful Junior High school math teacher charged in a middle school sex scandal is considering a plea deal.
During an appearance Monday in 2nd District Court, Valynne Bowers' attorney announced to the judge that they were working on a resolution with Davis County prosecutors.
Defense attorney Rich Gallegos asked for more time for them to work on a plea bargain. "I'm hopeful that we can work out a deal where she can get some type of probation sentence," Gallegos told KSL NewsRadio outside of court. "Likely associated with that is jail time."
Bowers, 40, is charged with first-degree felony rape and forcible sodomy. She is one of two teachers at Bountiful Jr. High accused of having sex with the same teenage boy. Linda Nef, 46, faces a rape of a child charge. "I can't say with any certainty that either one will go to trial," Deputy Davis County Attorney Rich Larsen said outside of court, adding that they are open to resolving the cases.
Bowers recently underwent a psycho-sexual evaluation and is in counseling, her attorney said. Gallegos declined to elaborate on what the evaluation said, but indicated that it did not label her a predator or a pedophile.
Nef is accused of having a sexual relationship with the boy from December 2007 until February 2008. Bowers is accused of having a sexual relationship with him from January 2009 until February of this year.
Bowers is due back in court on June 29 for a potential resolution in the case.
E-mail: bwinslow@ksl.com
