LAKE ELSINORE: Former teacher sentenced in child molestation case
Two others also ordered to serve jail time on weekends
By JOHN HALL - Staff Writer | ∞
FRENCH VALLEY ---- A former math teacher at Lake Elsinore's Lakeside High was sentenced Friday to 240 days in jail for a sexual relationship she had with a then-15-year-old girl who was one of her students.
Franca Munoz-Juvera, 27, was placed in handcuffs and taken away to be booked after her sentencing hearing at Southwest Justice Center. Along with the jail sentence, she was placed on five years of formal probation by Judge John Monterosso.
Her twin sister ---- who was also a Lakeside High teacher ---- and her twin sister's then-girlfriend were sentenced Friday as well for helping facilitate the trysts between Munoz-Juvera and the teen.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Chirco asked the judge to send Munoz-Juvera to state prison for three years saying the former teacher "took advantage of a position of trust like no other."
The prosecutor said Munoz-Juvera was selfish when she took advantage of a girl who didn't know any better.
Defense attorney Rajan Maline argued that Munoz-Juvera is "the kind of person who would excel at probation," adding that "she's an extraordinary individual who made an error in her life."
Maline said his client worked hard to achieve her master's degree and teaching credential and, despite losing her ability to teach now has retrained herself and works as a pharmacy technician.
The judge mentioned that Munoz-Juvera has no criminal record whatsoever and has expressed remorse for what she did. "I have nothing to indicate it isn't genuine," Monterosso said.
"I cannot overstate how inappropriate your conduct was," Monterosso said, directly addressing Munoz-Juvera.
At the age of 15, the victim experiences "confusion at every level" and is among the most vulnerable in society, the judge said.
"You, ma'am, knew that," Monterosso said to the former teacher.
The girl's father first reported his suspicions to authorities in September 2006, telling them that his daughter had received an inappropriate e-mail from Munoz-Juvera. She was arrested in December 2006, but criminal charges were not filed until October 2007. Munoz-Juvera pleaded guilty last month.
Before Friday's sentencing, the girl's father addressed the judge, pleading for the maximum sentence. His name is not being used because of The Californian's policy to not identify victims of sex crimes.
"I hold a teacher in the same light as a judge, a deputy, a priest," he said. "I take my daughter to school and I think she's going to be safe."
He told the judge that his daughter is taking medication "and is never going to sit in a classroom again."
The prosecutor also read a letter written by the girl, detailing her depression and how what happened has affected her.
"I hated everything," the girl wrote, adding that she became even more depressed when her relationship with her teacher was reported.
"I even thought of ways of committing suicide," the girl wrote.
The victim wrote that the relationship caused her to become a "conniving" person.
"I couldn't even enjoy my prom," she wrote and, after the relationship was discovered she was restricted from using a computer, the phone or even walking her dog.
The girl wrote that what happened also led to her father losing his job and the family to lose their home.
Munoz-Juvera's twin sister, Antonia, was sentenced to 120 days in jail to be served on weekends.
"Ma'am, you are very lucky you weren't prosecuted as an aider and abettor," the judge told her, based on her involvement in helping foster the relationship between her sister and the girl.
Eileen Valerio, 20, received the same sentence as Antonia Munoz-Juvera, her former girlfriend.
Both women were ordered to begin serving their time on June 20.
Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.
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KnowMind wrote on Jun 8, 2008 11:49 AM:Christian Fascist's Sexual Obsession
Sexual ignorance and repression are the diseases not the cures.
Jason L wrote on Jun 8, 2008 7:03 PM:To KnowMind:
If the article was about a relationship between adults, you would have a point. However, this is about a minor who was victimized by an adult working in a position of trust.
Are you really claiming "repression" in a state that has now legalized marriage between same-sex couples?
It seems the shoe of obsession is on the other foot.
Scott wrote on Jun 9, 2008 3:45 AM:Lucky for her she is a female. Had she been a man I'm sure the judge would have thrown him under the jail and lost the key. I find it amazing that, in the case of child molestation, women always seem to get a slap on the wrist. What is the difference between a woman committing a sexual crime and a man?
PrincipledAmerican wrote on Jun 9, 2008 1:51 PM:Jason L is correct---the minor and her family are the injured parties NOT the predators. I also agree with Scott that the judge appears negligent in his sentencing of the perps.
Because these "educators" abdicated their obligation to instruct this student in academics in a safe environment, they should be given the maximum sentence allowed--to do anything less defies logic.
Here is one more reason to homeschool your children.
A woman wife mother wrote on Jun 12, 2008 3:43 PM:Wow and the former teacher "ONLY" received 240 days in county jail (not prison) and 5 years probation. Not good enough!
If she were a man he'd not be in jail, on probation etc. He would be in prison, would have to register as a sex offende, etc. The legal system is all mixed up and this teacher should've have been punished just as a sex offender male would be. Shame on the judge!
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