Ausborne takes deal in student sex case

By Matt Pordum

Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004 | 9:24 a.m.

A former University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball player accused of having had sex with female students while working as a substitute high school teacher pleaded guilty to a reduced number of charges Wednesday.

Cornelius "Corky" Ausborne, 29, who was a substitute at Grant Sawyer Middle School, pleaded guilty to one count each of lewdness with a minor under 14 and sexual conduct between a school employee and a pupil.

District Judge Sally Loehrer scheduled sentencing for Ausborne on Dec. 13. Before accepting Ausborne's guilty plea, Loehrer made sure Ausborne knew the possible consequences facing him at sentencing.

"The matter of sentencing is up to the court," Loehrer said. "The lewdness with a minor under 14 carries a potential 10 years to life in prison and the sexual conduct between certain employees of school and pupil carries a possible one to six years in prison."

Loehrer said although Ausborne could be sentenced to probation on both charges he would not eligible for probation unless a psycho-sexual evaluation administered by the Department of Parole and Probation found him to be a "low risk" for repeat offenses.

Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lee said prosecutors retain the right to argue at sentencing.

Ausborne, softly acknowledged he understood Loehrer, looking down throughout the hearing.

Ausborne had been a substitute teacher at the middle school for two months. Authorities say they began their investigation earlier this month after hearing reports that a teacher was having sex with students. Ausborne was fired after school administrators were informed of the charges.

Prosecutors said Ausborne first denied doing anything wrong in either case, but later admitted to the charges against him.