Florida teacher sentenced to seven years for sexual relationship with student on campus

Heather Mashburn-Smith, a 37-year-old instructor at Port Charlotte High School in Florida, was sentenced on Thursday to seven years in prison followed by 15 years of probation after entering a guilty plea to unlawful activity with a minor. Authorities say she engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old student on the high school campus on two occasions in April, leading to her arrest on April 29. Sheriff Bill Prummell condemned the behavior as illegal and damaging to the school community, emphasizing the abuse of a position of trust.

The charge was escalated to a first-degree felony because of her status as a teacher, and she received 118 days credit for time served. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Charlotte County School District have not provided comment on the case or the sentencing.