Ex-coach to plead guilty in sex case

Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 11:31 a.m.

A first-year teacher accused of having sex with one of her students waived her preliminary hearing Wednesday and announced her intention to plead guilty.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said Lora Rodriguez, 34, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of sexual conduct between a teacher and student, a felony, and one count of child abuse or neglect, a gross misdemeanor.

The abuse count stems from allegations Rodriguez provided the girl alcohol, Herndon said.

Although the sexual conduct charge carries a one- to six-year prison sentence and the misdemeanor count carries up to a one-year sentence, Herndon said Rodriguez will likely get probation because the girl and her family have no desire to see Rodriguez imprisoned.

Rodriguez, who is married and has children, is expected to enter her formal plea July 6, Herndon said.

Rodriguez was arrested June 6. She resigned from her job as a physical education teacher and softball coach at Valley High School May 24, Herndon said.

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