A former Arkansas teacher has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for taking students out of state to engage in illegal sex acts.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky sentenced Heather Hare to 13 years in federal prison for transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of illicit sexual activity. Hare could have been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to life in prison.
Mr. Hare was also sentenced to serve a lifetime of supervised release.
Hare was indicted on August 1, 2023, and charged with one count of interstate/foreign travel for the purpose of engaging in forced prostitution/sexual conduct and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual conduct. was indicted on the matter.
Hare pleaded guilty in January and the remaining charges were dropped.
The 33-year-old woman was a teacher at Bryant High School in Conway, Arkansas. Until her retirement on April 1st, she taught a family consumer science class.
As Blaze News previously reported, Hare turned himself in to the Saline County Detention Center on the morning of April 14 after the Saline County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest. Detectives suspect Hare of sexual misconduct with a student. She was initially charged with a felony count of first-degree sexual assault.
Investigators said Hare met the student on the first day of her senior year of high school.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas said: press release Hare began “one-on-one counseling sessions with the underage victim” and eventually gave the minor his personal phone number, police said. She also reportedly communicated with students through Instagram and Snapchat.
She allegedly told the victim that she had a “dream” of having sex. Ms Hare then gave her student her home address.
Federal authorities determined that Hare and the student engaged in illicit sexual acts between 20 and 30 times during the 2021-2022 school year. The illegal sex acts reportedly took place at Hare’s home, car, classroom and in the Bryant High School parking lot.
In April 2022, Ms. Hare sponsored and chaperoned a class field trip to Washington, D.C. During the field trip, Ms. Hare and a student engaged in illegal sexual activity.
U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross said of the child sexual abuse case, “Teachers who had sexual relationships with underage students should take note of today’s sentence against Ms. Hare. “It reflects the consequences of abusing it and exploiting its vulnerabilities.” Minors who repeatedly engage in illegal sexual acts. ”
He continued, “As evidenced by Judge Rudofsky’s decision to sentence Ms. Hare to 13 years in federal prison, our office has a strong reputation for targeting children and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.” We will continue to hold those in positions of responsibility accountable.”
“The FBI takes crimes against children very seriously,” said Alicia D. Corder, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Little Rock Field Office. “This demonstrates our continued commitment to investigation and prosecution.” Their positions of trust and authority exploit children in our community. ”
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