Amy Victoria Beck (PICTURE): Guilt-Ridden Teacher Pleads No Contest to Student Sex
BURBANK, Calif. (CBS/AP) Amy Victoria Beck stunned officials when she walked into police headquarters earlier this month and told detectives she had carried on a nine month affair with a 14-year-old former student last year.
PICTURES: Notorious Teacher Sex Scandals
Now, the 33-year-old former middle-school teacher has pleaded no contest to one count each of unlawful sex with a minor and performing lewd acts on a minor.
Originally charged with five counts of engaging in sex acts with a person under 16, Beck could have been sentenced to as much as seven years in prison if convicted.
Instead, she's expected to get considerably less time.
Beck said the relationship, which ended in December, had left her consumed with guilt. And according to her attorney, she still is."You have a young lady who from the outset was very remorseful, and I think demonstrated the highest degree of remorse when she confessed, because she knew ahead of time she was going to state prison," Williamson said.
Police said they were unaware of the crime until Beck confessed.
After her arrest, Beck refused to post $175,000 bail, choosing to stay in jail instead. She did so, Williamson said, partly because of remorse and partly to avoid the news media.
Beck, who is married to a police officer, is the mother of three children.
The week before her confession, Beck abruptly quit her job at David Starr Jordan Middle School in this suburb adjacent to Los Angeles. She told school officials she was planning to move out of state.
Beck, who taught English and social studies, was popular with students, parents and fellow teachers, said Gabe Soumakian, assistant superintendent for the Burbank Unified School District.
Beck was ordered to return to court May 7 for sentencing. Her attorney, Michael Williamson, said she is expected to receive two years in state prison.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Burbank police Detective Wally Schilling at (818) 238-3254.
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Notorious Teacher Sex Scandals
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