October 21, 2010 Teacher admits to sexting www.privateofficer.com
Philadelphia PA. Oct 21 2010 A former Centennial School District math teacher was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to undergo sex offender treatment for sending a sexually explicit cell phone photo to a 17-year-old boy.
Scott D. Bregman, 48, of Lower Southampton, pleaded guilty in Bucks County Court in Doylestown to disseminating explicit sexual material to a minor and corruption of minors. He told county Judge Albert Cepparulo that he regretted the crime.
“I’d like to offer a sincere apology to the victim and his family,” Bregman said. “I also apologize to my family, the community and the Centennial School District for any unwarranted embarrassment.”
Bregman was a teacher at William Tennent High School when he was arrested in June, after sending a photo of a penis to the teen, whom he met at the B&R fitness club in Lower Southampton.
The victim told police that he “reluctantly” exchanged phone numbers with Bregman shortly after meeting him, after Bregman offered to tutor him. The teen attended another school and was not Bregman’s student.
He said Bregman began following him around the health club, engaging him in conversation in the steam room and other areas while they were both nude. The teen told police that Bregman made him feel “uncomfortable.”
Bregman sent the photo on April 1, during a sexually explicit text message conversation.
“Bregman sent (the teen’s) wireless phone a digital picture of a male in a reclined position, with his exposed penis roughly in the lower center of the picture,” court records say.
Bregman texted “do u promise to delete it,” before sending the image.
Bregman’s attorney, Gail Marr, showed the judge a printout of her client’s texts, and argued that the teen and two of his friends had prompted many of Bregman’s remarks through questions.
Marr noted that the teens erased their side of the conversation from the victim’s phone before handing it over to police. While conceding that Bregman broke the law, she said the teens had a part in what happened.
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“The juveniles admitted that they wanted to see how far it would go. It’s clear that the conversation was two-sided,” Marr said.
Deputy District Attorney Monica Furber disagreed.
“He’s the adult, he’s responsible for his actions,” Furber said. “The statutes we charged him with are in place to protect minors. As a teacher, he was aware that his conduct was inappropriate, concerning and certainly against the law.”
The victim was not in court Tuesday. Furber said the teen and his family just wanted to put the embarrassing event behind them. School had recessed for the summer when the charges came to light.
Bregman resigned in September, and also stepped down from his two side jobs as a youth sports referee and day camp counselor. He now works in the automotive industry. The crimes Bregman pleaded guilty to are not Megan’s Law offenses.
Cepparulo sentenced Bregman within state sentencing guidelines. He told the former teacher that he would have faced a harsher penalty had the crime occurred in a school setting.
“You should have known from your training as a teacher that it is not only wrong, it is illegal,” Cepparulo told Bregman. “This type of behavior is not acceptable in our society.”
Cepparulo ordered Bregman to have no contact with the victim or the two teens who saw the photo, and banned him from being alone with anyone under the age of 18, except family members, during the sentence.
Bregman left the courthouse with several supporters. Marr said that Bregman just wants to move on.
“My client has led an exemplary life prior to this incident, and although he exercised poor judgment he had no ill intent. He is extremely remorseful for his behavior and is anxious to put this behind him and be a productive member of society.”
Source:Phillyburbs.com
Tags: Scott D. Bregman
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