QUAD CITIES, Iowa-Ill. -
Former Clinton High School Band teacher James Young is headed to federal prison. This afternoon a judge in Davenport sentenced the 34 year old to 160 months behind bars. Police arrested Young last November after they say he traveled to DeWitt to meet a person he thought was a 14 year old girl for sex. The girl turned out to be a police officer.
James Young apologized to his family and school for embarrassing them and talked of his history chatting with adults on the internet saying he never imagined being in a situation where he faced charges. He also said he wished he had spent more time with his three young sons and less time on the internet.
Referencing graphic chat, the judge asked Young why he would communicate like that with a minor even if he had, as he claimed, no intention of harming the child.
Young responded, "I don't know. It's not right."
The judge replied, "It's so much more than not right".
At sentencing Young's attorney presented the judge with 3 dozen letters of support from family and friends. He also argued that the father of 3 had no criminal history and his service as a trusted teacher and mentor should be taken into account when the sentence was handed down. The judge said, while he took the letters and history into account, he considered the need to protect the public too and sentenced Young to just more than 13 years behind bars followed by 10 years of supervised release. The former teacher will also be banned from using the internet and owning a camera unless his parole officer approves.
Defense Attorney Alfred Willet plans to appeal the sentence.
James Young apologized to his family and school for embarrassing them and talked of his history chatting with adults on the internet saying he never imagined being in a situation where he faced charges. He also said he wished he had spent more time with his three young sons and less time on the internet.
Referencing graphic chat, the judge asked Young why he would communicate like that with a minor even if he had, as he claimed, no intention of harming the child.
Young responded, "I don't know. It's not right."
The judge replied, "It's so much more than not right".
At sentencing Young's attorney presented the judge with 3 dozen letters of support from family and friends. He also argued that the father of 3 had no criminal history and his service as a trusted teacher and mentor should be taken into account when the sentence was handed down. The judge said, while he took the letters and history into account, he considered the need to protect the public too and sentenced Young to just more than 13 years behind bars followed by 10 years of supervised release. The former teacher will also be banned from using the internet and owning a camera unless his parole officer approves.
Defense Attorney Alfred Willet plans to appeal the sentence.
