“I shared with him that I was previously sexually abused and he assured me that I could talk to him about anything,” the now-adult victim said before sentencing. “He capitalized on my vulnerability and pursued a sexual relationship with me. He took advantage of his position as an authority figure and he treated me like a sex object.
“He manipulated me into protecting him and keeping silent for years. I have carried an immense amount of guilt and shame and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I was a 16-year-old girl responsible for protecting the life and career of a 34-year-old man. What I learned from this experience was that all I have to offer the opposite sex was my body. I felt and still feel that I’m worth nothing more than what I can offer men sexually.”
Judge Mary Katherine Huffman ruled on the case in which prosecutors were seeking the maximum sentence and Weaver’s attorney was hoping for community control sanctions. The victim, who said she has a husband and daughter and has trouble trusting any teachers, asked that Weaver get psychological help, never be able to teach again and spend a few years in prison.
“I just want to say I am sorry,” Weaver said. “I’ve spent every waking moment the last four months reflecting on this. I have no rationalization or justification. I’m responsible and my behavior was wrong.
Huffman said the letters from his wife, Kristi — a senior director at LexisNexis — other family and friends “spoke volumes” and that neither Weaver nor his supporters made any excuses for him. Huffman also said sending him to prison would be “the easy thing to do” and that a sentence of probation is “much more difficult.”
Weaver is married with two children and was so during the criminal acts. Centerville Police Department public information officer John Davis said none of the alleged acts happened on school grounds. Davis said he doesn’t remember a similar case involving a Centerville teacher in his 21 years.
Neither Weaver’s attorneys nor the prosecutors on the case commented about the sentence.
A press release from the office of Montgomery County Prosector Mat Heck Jr. said: “The defendant abused his position of trust as a high school teacher and took advantage of that trust by having a sexual relationship with one of his students. As a community, we expect and deserve better from those entrusted with educating our youth.
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