Fort Collins – A teacher accused of participating in sex acts with a 17-year-old student was sentenced Friday to 45 days in the Larimer County Jail.
Carrie McCandless, a former Brighton Charter School teacher, rolled her eyes at photographers as she arrived at Larimer County District Court for her sentencing.
McCandless was accused of fondling student Tommy Clay during a field trip in late October 2006 to Estes Park and of drinking alcohol with him during the trip.
(The Denver Post is using Clay’s name because he has chosen to identify himself in public as the victim.)
McCandless sat silently while District Attorney Mike Pierson urged Judge James Hiatt to adhere strictly to the sentencing stipulation that the DA and defense had agreed on.
Pierson said during the hearing that McCandless had not taken responsibility for her behavior and had twisted the facts of the case.
“This was not something where he took advantage of her,” he said. “It was the opposite.”
Describing McCandless as “probably one of the prettiest ladies at the school,” Pierson said she handpicked the student and was “grooming him.”
McCandless’ attorney, Trent Trani, said after the hearing that there was just as strong an argument that Clay was the one who pursued the relationship.
“Anyone who doesn’t believe someone that age is capable of doing what I explained to the judge is crazy,” he said.
During the hearing, Trani said that McCandless did not report advances that Clay had made toward her because she didn’t want to get him in trouble.
McCandless pleaded guilty on April 24 to Class 4 and Class 6 felonies for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and tampering with physical evidence and a Class 1 misdemeanor of unlawful sexual contact.
She received two deferred sentences for the felonies and probation for the misdemeanor.
As part of her probation she will have to register as a sex offender, complete a sex offender program and cannot have contact with anyone under 18 years old.
She was taken into custody immediately after her hearing. McCandless declined to make a statement.
Clay and his parents declined to submit witness statements and did not attend Friday’s sentencing.
Staff writer Simona Gallegos can be reached at 303-954-1555 or sgallegos@denverpost.com.
