By PAUL THOMPSON
A teacher who sent text messages to students to come to her classroom one-by-one for oral sex is facing up to two years in jail. Amber Failla pleaded no contest to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse and multiple counts of oral copulation. The 36-year-old had been facing eight charges that could have put her behind bars for a decade.
Failla, who taught at California High School, in California City, California, was arrested last July after a sports coach found out her about inappropriate behavior. The coach overheard a student saying that Failla, who is married, had given oral sex to one of his friends. When the 17-year old was interviewed by police he later admitted the match teacher performed oral sex in her classroom. He also claimed they had sex in her car.
As police carried out an investigation into Failla they discovered she would send students a text message to meet her in an empty classroom where she would perform oral sex. One of the teens claimed that at one point, Failla grabbed his hand and put them on her breasts and said, 'This is like candy to me'.
The teens claim that Failla would send them pictures of herself naked. Police said her victims were aged 14, 16 and 17. California City police took a computer and cell phone from Failla's home as part of their investigation. Prosecutor Marus Cuper said the plea deal was the best result for both sides. As well as a jail sentence Failla will also register as a sex offender for life. 'I think it's a just result for both sides,' Cuper said. 'The victims get some justice and she's not being overly punished.'
Three charges of oral copulation with a person younger than 18, two counts of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and two other counts of unlawful sexual intercourse were dismissed. Cuper said the latter two counts can be considered by the judge at sentencing. Defenseattorney Timothy Lemucchi said he believes the plea deal is fair, especially in light of his client's background. 'She has a history of psychiatric problems,' Lemucchi said.
He said her treatment included a drug whose side effect was that made her 'hyperactively sexual'.
