Ex-teacher gets 20 years for sexually abusing 13-year-old student

A former Arizona teacher avoided the maximum sentence for sexually abusing a 13-year-old student, telling the court that she is “not a threat to society by any means.”

Brittany Zamora was slapped with a 20-year prison term in Maricopa County Superior Court on Friday, avoiding the 27-year sentence that prosecutors had asked for as part of a plea agreement.

Prosecutors say the 28-year-old Zamora had multiple sexual encounters with the boy in a classroom at Las Brisas Academy in Goodyear and in her vehicle. Some contact between Zamora and the sixth-grader took place during class while other students were watching a video.

A second boy, age 11, had seen her having sex with the student, according to investigators. Authorities said that Zamora showed naked photos to both boys and asked them sexual questions.

The 13-year-old student’s parents called Zamora a “twisted monster” in a statement read by their lawyer.

“He will miss out on so many important emotions and feelings when it comes to relationships with women for the rest of his life — all because his trust was betrayed by sixth-grade school teacher,” the parents wrote.

Zamora apologized in court and maintained she is not a threat to the community.

“I’m a good genuine person who made a mistake and regrets it deeply,” she added.

Defense lawyer Belen Olmedo Guerra said his client is a “great candidate” for rehabilitation.

“She wants to change her life and she’s already started that,” Guerra said.

Zamora could have faced 40 years in prison for having sexual conduct with a minor, attempted child molestation and public sexual indecency. She will be on probation for the rest of her life and she will have to register as a sex offender.

With News Wire Services