June 5, 2011
06/06/11 Former Plymouth resident, Zachary Scott, plead guilty to two felony charges of child seduction on Thursday. Scott was suspended from his math teaching position as well as his positions as assistant basketball and baseball coach at NorthWood High School in February of this year.
His contract was terminated in March.
According to records, the school administrators were notified on February 1 by the parents of a 16-year-old student at the school that there was possible questionable behavior between Scott and the student.
During an investigation, NorthWood’s director of technology uncovered emails between Scott and the girl that suggested an inappropriate relationship.
In April, Scott was arrested.
He later admitted to fondling a female student twice between November and February and that the touching was in a sexual manner at his home in Nappanee.
Elkhart County prosecutors presented a plea agreement on the matter before Judge George Biddlecome. A part of the plea agreement calls for no more than two years in prison. Sentencing will take place on July 21 in Elkhart Superior Court 3.
During the plea, Biddlecome asked Deputy Prosecutor Peter Britton if at least one parent of the girl approved of the plea agreement. Britton responded with “Yes, your Honor.”
An additional portion of the agreement provides that prosecutors will not pursue any further charges in connection with the relationship between Scott and the student.
Scott faces up to six years, but only two of the six being incarceration. The remaining time could be spent on probation.
Biddlecome may have the option to give Scott probation for the entire sentence.
Carol Anders Correspondent