Former Cherokee teacher gets suspended sentence in sexual exploitation case

CHEROKEE, Iowa (KTIV) — A Cherokee, Iowa high school teacher accused of sexually exploiting a minor has been sentenced.

Joseph Vannatta, 46, a former Cherokee teacher, entered a written guilty plea in July to an amended, lesser charge of harassment, an aggravated offense.

In court documents, Vannatta was sentenced to two years in prison, but the prison sentence was suspended. Vannatta will serve two years of probation, a five-year restraining order against the victim, and must pay state minimum fines.

The prosecutor announced in July that no prison sentence would be requested as part of the settlement.

Vannatta had initially pleaded not guilty in writing and requested that his case be dismissed.

His first charge was sexual exploitation by a school employee, a Class D felony carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and possible fines of up to $10,000.

In Vannatta’s change of plea, the Public Prosecution Service and Vannatta’s lawyers agree that the facts of the case did not constitute a sexually motivated crime.

Copyright 2024 KTIV. All rights reserved.