Preston Zimmerman, accused of sexually exploiting at least six KIPP students, was given an eight-year prison sentence after prosecutors dismissed seven of his eight charges in a plea agreement.
Zimmerman, a former bio-medical science teacher at KIPP Houston High School, was sentenced to just eight years in prison after pleading guilty to indecency with a child by sexual contact. The conviction comes nearly a year after he was charged with eight felonies involving inappropriate contact with multiple students.
In November of last year, Zimmerman was charged with four counts of improper relationship with a student, two counts of sexual performance with a child, and two counts of indecency with a child.
According to the allegations, at least six students had reported inappropriate behavior. One 16-year-old student said Zimmerman offered him money in exchange for sexual favors, while another described repeated incidents in which Zimmerman touched him inappropriately when handing him items. Other students also reported similar patterns of contact.
At the time, KIPP released a statement acknowledging the allegations and confirming Zimmerman had been removed from the campus. “KIPP Houston High School was informed of allegations of misconduct involving a former employee and several students. Upon learning of these allegations, the school immediately notified the appropriate legal authorities and took swift action to ensure the safety of its students. The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and then terminated, and he is not allowed on any KIPP Texas Public Schools property.”
Earlier this month, Zimmerman accepted a plea deal that dismissed seven of the eight felony charges, leaving only a single count of sexual contact with a child. That charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
However, Zimmerman only received an eight-year sentence and will be eligible for parole after serving half of it, meaning he could be released in as little as four years.
Hundreds of Texas educators have been accused of sex crimes involving students and other children in just the past few years. Thousands have been reported to the Texas Education Agency for sexual misconduct.
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