Kroon wants 3-year prison sentence for former high school teacher found guilty of sexual exploitation

Attorneys for the prosecution and defense made sentencing recommendations for a Catholic high school teacher found guilty of sexual exploitation and making sexual material available to persons under the age of 18.

Ryan Turgeon, 39, decided not to speak Monday morning after the prosecution and defense presented their positions.

At the same trial, he was acquitted of several other charges against a second accuser.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Turgeon taught the plaintiff, who cannot be named because of a publication ban, religion, civics and career and drama classes at the Catholic Central High School.

District Attorney Jayme Lesperance says the student said he received numerous sexual advances and that Turgeon sent him explicit photos and videos over the course of several weeks and months between fall 2017 and summer 2018.

According to Lesperance, the inappropriate messages arose after a conversation between the two following a drama class in the twelfth grade, in which the student expressed his insecurities about his sexuality.

He said Turgeon’s actions constituted a gross breach of trust and asked Judge Brian Dube to sentence him to three years in prison.

Punishment should be moderate, defense says

Paul Socka, the attorney who argued on Turgeon’s behalf Monday, asked for a sentence of 12 to 18 months.

He stated that there were inconsistencies and uncertainties about the number of images sent and the content of the videos and images.

Socka agreed that deterrence and deterrence should be paramount in sentencing, but he said that as a first-time offender, any prison sentence imposed on Turgeon should also show restraint — and be as short as necessary.

He added that Turgeon maintains his innocence.

Dube says he will make a decision on January 21.