Former teacher sentenced

POCATELLO (AP) - A former American Falls High School teacher who pleaded guilty to statutory rape of a 17-year-old student has been sentenced to up to five years in prison, but could be released after six months if he successfully completes a prison program.

The Idaho State Journal reports that 31-year-old William Price Hamilton was handed the sentence on Wednesday, with 6th District Judge Stephen Dunn saying the former teacher would be eligible for parole after three years.

But the judge also said he would retain jurisdiction in the case while Hamilton completes a 180-day prison program. If Hamilton successfully completes the program, Dunn has the option to waive his remaining sentence.

At the hearing, Hamilton apologized to the victim, his own family and the community of American Falls.

Hamilton was originally charged with multiple counts of sexual battery of a minor. In exchange for a guilty plea, the charges were reduced to two counts of statutory rape.

Prosecutors say the victim was a student when the offenses began two years ago.

Hamilton told the court he had lost his career, his marriage and impaired his relationship with his children and asked the judge to consider a sentence without prison time so he could begin to rebuild his life.

"How much more need I endure?" Hamilton asked.

But Dunn said he was troubled by a pre-sentence investigation that showed Hamilton sometimes blamed the 17-year-old victim for Hamilton's behavior.

Dunn said the former teacher's crime will have a long-term impact on the victim, students, fellow teachers and parents in the community, and so he deserved a harsher punishment than probation.