Ex-Northeastern teacher gets 15 years

Anthony Parker, 36, pleaded guilty after he was accused of having sexual relations with a student.

SPRINGFIELD — A former Northeastern High School teacher accused of having sexual relations with a female student was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday morning, July 13, according to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office.

Anthony Parker, 36, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual battery last month. He was sentenced to five years each for two counts, three years for one count and two years for the final count, all to run consecutively, said Andy Wilson, assistant prosecutor.

“I’m satisfied with the sentence,” Wilson said. “I believe that he emotionally seduced the student.”

Investigators believe Parker convinced his 16-year-old victim that he loved her and planned to leave his wife to be in a relationship with her, Wilson said.

“That has a devastating, devastating emotional effect,” Wilson said.

Defense attorney Jose Lopez, of Troy, said his client will appeal.

“Mr. Parker was cooperative with authorities,” Lopez said. “It was evident that he showed genuine remorse for his conduct.”

Wilson said that he asked the judge to impose a sentence that “allowed the victim to have some closure to allow her to move on with her life,” but did not ask for a specific sentence.

Parker also will be labeled a Tier II sex offender and be required to register his residence every 90 days after his release, Wilson said.

The former social studies teacher was arrested on the charges in January following an investigation into allegations that Parker was having a sexual relationship with a student, according to court records.

Parker resigned Jan. 22 and turned his teaching license over to the state board of education in March.

About the Author