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Farmington • A 62-year-old former drama teacher at a Davis County charter school who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old female student was sentenced Wednesday to probation and up to a year in jail.
James A. Stokes — who taught at Legacy Preparatory Academy — had pleaded guilty in 2nd District Court to one count of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse. A second identical count was dismissed.
Judge John Morris suspended a potential prison term of up to 15 years and said Stokes could be released early from jail when a bed becomes available at a Corrections treatment program for sex offenders.
The sentence stands in stark contrast to that of a female Bountiful Junior High math teacher who was sentenced to prison for up to 30 years by the same judge on Monday.
But Deputy Davis County Attorney Richard Larsen insisted the Stokes case was different in nature, severity and the number of sexual contacts from Valynne Bowers' case.
Also, the victim and her family — who publicly forgave Stokes on Wednesday — had signed off on the sentence that some might consider lenient.
The girl told the court: "I hold no ill will toward Mr. Stokes."
She spoke of betrayal and said the past year had been "difficult and painful." But she added that "with the help of God and my family I know I can put this behind me. I'm going to be OK."
She said she hoped Stokes completes his treatment and never abuses anyone else.
The girl's father said Stokes crimes were "wrong ... evil, deceptive, premeditated" and done for "his own selfish, lustful self-gratification."
Nevertheless, the father said he forgave Stokes and hoped that with jail time and treatment "he can sincerely and honestly change."
Stokes choked up during his apology to the family. "I just hope that things will go the way they should in this family's life ... and that all will be well with them," he said.
According to charging documents, Stokes twice touched the girl in a sexual manner in January 2010 while they were in his car west of Centerville.
Stokes, who was directing the girl in a play, on two occasions offered to drive her home, but instead took her to a secluded area near Farmington Bay, where he fondled her, police have said.
Prosecutor Larsen told the judge that investigators could confirm no other instances of sexual misconduct by Stokes. "Hopefully, this is an aberration," Larsen said.
The judge noted that while Stokes' conduct was "not the worst" on the spectrum of sex offenses, "there still is no greater offense than to walk all over another person's soul, which is what you did, Mr. Stokes."
The judge called the victims' willingness to forgive Stokes "something quite miraculous ... perhaps the greatest gift you can be given in this life."
"You are the beneficiary," he told Stokes. "I hope it is appreciated."