(9/19/07 - Initial BBT Report)
James “Jim” Gary Cypert, 37, a former English teacher at Columbus High School, in Columbus, Georgia has been indicted on sexual assault charges.
Cypert was arrested and charged on four counts in May of this year. The grand jury indicted on only three of those counts.
All involve allegations of a sexual relationship between Cypert and an 18-year-old female student from March to May 2005. Police said the sex was consensual and the former student was 18 years old and a senior at the time, however Georgia law prohibits sex between teachers and students regardless of the age of the student and consent is not a legal defense under the statute.
Reportedly Cypert is working in the school district’s transportation division in an administrative capacity and receiving his salary is $61,730. The communications director for the school system has been quoted as saying, “He has not been fired and no action has been taken to fire him. He’s not a teacher at that school, but he is still an employee of the Muscogee County School District.“.
Cypert is scheduled for arraignment on September 28 and expected to go to trial in late October or early November.
12/01/07 - Guilty Plea
On Friday, James Cypert pleaded guilty on three counts of sexual assault against a person in custody. He admitted that he had consensual sex three times between March and May 2005 with the victim.
Cypert was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by five years’ probation. He also must forfeit his teaching certificate and register as a sex offender.
Reference:
Cypert admits guilt, gets one year (12/01/07)
Former teacher indicted on sex charges (9/20/07)
Former High School Teacher Indicted on Sexual Assault Charges (9/19/07)
Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault Still On School Payroll (9/18/07)
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