Tulare County teacher gets probation for sex texts to student
A Tulare County teacher was sentenced to three years probation Monday for sending sexually explicit texts and emails to a 17-year-old female student.
William Hodges, 53, of Porterville, was a music teacher at Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore in April 2014 when the messages were sent.
The student’s parents discovered the messages and reported Hodges to the school and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation determined that no inappropriate physical contact occurred between Hodges and the student, but he was found guilty of misdemeanor annoying or molesting a child.
His sentence also includes 100 volunteer hours and 180 days of suspended custody pending the successful completion of his probation.
Hodges will also have to register as a sex offender for life.
Troy Pope: (559) 441-6015, @troycpope
This story was originally published May 19, 2015 at 9:35 PM with the headline "Tulare County teacher gets probation for sex texts to student."