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LHS teacher convicted of enticing student and could get at least 10 years A jury convicted former Leroy High School teacher Charlene Schmitz, 55, of two counts of enticement of a child, United States Attorney Deborah J. Rhodes of the Southern District of Alabama announced Friday, Feb. 15. Following a two-day trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Schmitz of using the Internet and a cellular telephone to attempt to entice a child to engage in illegal sexual activity. Schmitz was the child's eighth grade reading teacher and in the spring and summer of 2007 traded salacious messages with the victim using the internet instant messaging software and a cellular telephone she bought for him. In the messages, Schmitz told the victim, "i wish u were old enough that i would not get into trouble. i would not let any of the rest stop me..." and "i love u more than anything." Schmitz faces a minimum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and a maximum term of life, in addition to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for May 8, 2008 before United States District Judge Kristi DuBose.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and the First Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Murphy and Sean Costello.
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