| Aug 5, 2005 Ex-teacher accepts plea in sex case Former Hanford instructor pleads no contest to 1 count of sex with minor By Sarah Jimenez / The Fresno Bee HANFORD — A former Hanford West High School teacher accused of having sex with a student agreed to a plea bargain Thursday, increasing the chances she will receive probation and not prison time. Elisa Kawasaki, 25, pleaded no contest to one felony count of unlawful sex with a minor. She is accused of having sex with a male student who is now 17. Under the deal, the Kings County District Attorney's Office dropped four other counts, which were three felony counts of unlawful sex with a minor and one misdemeanor child molestation count. The deal is similar to one offered a female Tulare Western teacher who pleaded guilty in June to having sex with three students. Kings County prosecutors say that case had an effect on Kawasaki's deal. Kawasaki faces three years in prison but will likely instead receive probation and have the prison time suspended, said Patrick Hart, chief deputy district attorney for Kings County. The probation could include up to one year in the Kings County Jail, Hart said. A judge also will determine whether Kawasaki has to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors and Kawasaki's attorney, Paul Caprioglio, believe she will get probation. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23. "Among other things, we've been talking with the minor and the minor's family," Hart said. "While they do believe punishment is in order, they didn't believe we needed to be quite as aggressive as we could have been. "We've accomplished the goals of keeping her out of a teaching position and deterring her from future similar behavior." Caprioglio said his client's lack of criminal history will likely help her receive probation instead of prison time. He said the relationship with the minor was an isolated incident. "She is very regretful and remorseful about the incident," he said. Caprioglio said his client felt a plea deal "would be the fairest thing to do and be the least intrusive for the victim." "Everybody's a little apprehensive to take the stand, particularly if you have to get up there and talk about your sex life," Hart said. The four dropped charges involved incidents that reportedly occurred in the former teacher's Madera County home. Madera County officials agreed to hand the case over to Kings County because the Hanford Police Department worked on the investigation. A case can be jointly prosecuted if both counties agree. It allows counties to save money, and defendants face their case just once. Police began investigating the case after the victim's mother found something that led her to believe her son and Kawasaki were having an inappropriate relationship. Hanford police arrested Kawasaki at her home April 27. The first-year biology teacher would have faced up to six years in prison had she been convicted of all charges. Hart said Kawasaki's case was similar to Elizabeth Stow's case. Stow, 26, pleaded no contest in June in exchange for a suspended prison sentence of eight years, four months. Stow's sentencing is scheduled for Oct.7. She also could spend time in county jail. A third South Valley teacher is awaiting trial and is accused of having sex with several students. Former Tulare Union High School teacher Brad Smith, 24, faces seven felony counts. His trial is expected to start in September. http://www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/11036751p-11797522c.html |