Anna Margaret Bettencourt
Posted by Webmaster in FE-MV, Hall of Shame, High Schools, History, Idaho
(02/19/09 – Initial BadBadTeacher.com Report)
Anna Margaret Bettencourt, 38, a history teacher at Bliss High School in Bliss, Idaho has been charged with two counts of sexual battery of a minor.
The alleged victim is reportedly 16-year-old male student and the allegations involve incidents occurring between August 15 and September 30, 2008.
It is alleged that Bettencourt and the boy had intercourse twice during the August to September time frame, once on the floor of the school’s agriculture shop on a Sunday and again in the boy’s pickup truck after they met at the school. Police say that both Bettencourt and the boy have admitted these alleged sex acts.
Authorities have determined that a school aide had first heard about the alleged sexual encounters in November but had not reported it until Tuesday. On February 13th, a school official called the Gooding County sheriff’s office to report the allegations.
Reportedly Bettencourt was arraigned on the charges yesterday and a preliminary hearing has been set for March 19.
Media reports indicate that, due to an undisclosed conflict of interest, the Gooding County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will petition the court to appoint a special prosecuting attorney to handle the case.
04/16/09 – Court Appearance
Anna Margaret Bettencourt made an appearance today in Gooding County Magistrate Court and waived her preliminary hearing.
Magistrate Casey Robinson bound over Bettencourt to 5th District Court for arraignment on April 28th.
Reportedly the prosecution has offered Bettencourt a plea deal that would involve the dropping of one count and a minimum prison sentence of 3 years.
05/13/09 – Bettencourt Wants More Time To Consider Deal
Anna Margaret Bettencourt has requested and received additional time to consider a plea deal with prosecutors.
Bettencourt’s arraignment has been rescheduled for June 25th.
06/16/09 – Guilty Plea
Anna Bettencourt has reportedly pleaded guilty to a single count felony sexual battery of a minor.
In return the prosecution dropped of a second count of the same charge and a $5,000 fine as part of the plea deal.
The prosecution is seeking a prison term of at least three years.
09/08/09 – Sentencing
Special Prosecutor Mike Seib said under a popular double standard, that if a 40 year man and 16 year old girl were involved in this situation, the man would undoubtedly be sent to jail. Defense attorney James Meservy stated that just because this is a serious offense, that doesn’t mean jail time is necessary.
District Judge John Butler sentenced Bettencourt up to ten years in prison, with the first three years fixed.
The judge then suspended the sentence and ordered Bettencourt to serve a six month rider program, before deciding her ultimate sentence.
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Who does this judge think he is fooling with this dog and pony show sentence.If you our going to give her six months well then be man enough to sit on the bench and say that.Do not pretend to be handing down a 10 year sentence and then suspend it then delay it for six months.I also love these D.A. that want to whine about the light sentences these woman get when it is them that make the plea bargain’s that allow it to happen.I have an idea why don’t you actually take the case to trial.You know courtroom,work,what you are being paid for.You wonder why we have mandatory minimum sentences well hear is your answer.
Sounds like this smoking hot cougar (actually too much eye makeup for my tastes) may have a chance to get off with probation and the 6 month “rider” program if she can keep her nose clean. She better behave like a saint because one word from the judge and she gets the 3 years. I don’t have a problem with the sentence and believe the judge is a wise man. This pretty gal, with the lovely and classy name (I assume under all the eye makeup, what I can see looks pretty good) may be able to salvage something of a life after all. Since she didn’t have a problem with a kid 22 years her junior, I wonder if she would go for a guy only about 10 years her senior? I am a history buff, after all.
What does a 38 year old woman have in common with a 16 year old punk? Perhaps Anna Margaret Bettencourt is a woman with an Electra complex; the boy must have been the image of her father! I’m sure there are plenty of “men” who would LOVE to bang this teacher. Why would she choose a punk kid? She has completely ruined her life. But so what? It’s only a life! The kid got lucky, she didn’t.
Yeah…Back Off…If you only KNEW HER then you would understand that her perpetrating sexual battery on a minor is just fine. Isn’t that right DW?
Nobody can comment on adults perpetrating felonies against minors unless they know that person, right Columbo?
Well, as long as she asks for God’s forgiveness then everything is fine, right Sage?
But wait, the minor in this case is not a victim. AND it is so disgusting that we continue to vilify teachers who commit sex crimes against their students, right Heather? I mean we should either totally ignore it or commend teachers for sexually abusing their students, RIGHT HEATHER?
Do you people have any idea how insane you sound?
Back off, you don’t know anything about her. She’s a sweet girl.
What’s the big deal, she was just following her Bliss.
She looks like the villain because she is. She preyed on a male under the age of 18, who also happened to be a student where she taught. That’ll make you the villain everytime. As for a double-standard, there definitely is one. When a man commits this same crime he gets slapped with ten years, whereas, I’d “bet-in-court” that Mrs. Bettencourt, this skeezer, gets probation.
This is truly sad and is apparently an epidemic in America. Several things you should know. This was consentual sex with a minor. In fact, the “victim” admitted to having sex with Anna at the school and he later picked her up from school so they could have another encounter elsewhere in his truck. At 16 he’s very aware of what he is doing and the decisions he makes. He’s a typical teenage boy engaging in sex. What is not typical is having sex with a 38 year old woman. Is he a “victim”, I don’t believe so. Is this a victimless crime. Nope. The families of both parties are the true victims. As far as the husband goes, I believe Anna and he were separated before the crimes. Do I think she needs help? Absolutely. Do I think she need hung in the court of public opinion. No. She looks like the villain and the student a hero to his friends. I’m so sick of the double standard.