A teacher from Polk county by the name of Jennifer Fichter has been sentenced to 22 years behind bars for participating in intimate activity with three 17-year-old students on multiple occasions.
Fichter, who admitted to 37 charges related to child intimacy in March, silently mouthed the words “I love you” and waved to family members as she was escorted by a bailiff after the sentence was given.
The Circuit Judge Glenn Shelby granted Fichter a sentence that was three years shorter than the plea deal offered by the State Attorney’s Office.
Each count of illegal intimate activity with a minor carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Before the sentence was handed down, Fichter spoke to one of the victim’s mothers and expressed remorse for the crime.
The Investigation and Arrest
Fichter was initially apprehended on April 14, 2014, on accusations of engaging in an intimate relationship with one of her students at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in Lakeland, where she had been teaching English for three years.
The academy, which is affiliated with Kathleen High School, conducts classes at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
The Polk County School Board terminated Fichter’s employment a week following her apprehension.
After news of her arrest emerged, two more teenagers, both 17-year-old male students of Fichter, came forward, resulting in 27 new charges in Polk County, in addition to the 10 counts Fichter was already facing.
During the hearing, Circuit Judge Glenn Shelby stressed that the victims’ ages did not diminish the severity of their victimization.
He emphasized that Fichter, as the adult, the teacher, and a role model, violated one of the most fundamental trusts placed in teachers with regard to their children.
The mother of one of the victims and Assistant State Attorney Ashley Krieger both informed Shelby that the teenager never disclosed to his parents about an abortion Fichter had undergone.
Subsequently, it was revealed that he had fathered the child. Krieger argued that Fichter should not receive a lesser sentence than a man who had engaged in intimate relations with three 17-year-old girls.
Matthew Farmer, Fichter’s attorney, informed Shelby that parents of two of the teenagers requested the judge to show leniency.
He stated that at least one of them conveyed that a severe punishment was unnecessary.
However, Krieger pointed out that Fichter had deceived a victim’s mother, and the victim had to keep a significant secret from his parents.
The testimony lasted about three hours before Shelby notified the lawyers that he would review the evidence and statements before reaching a decision.
He returned to the bench after about ten minutes with his decision and ruled out the need for probation following the sentence.
The hearing included a lengthy recorded phone conversation by Lakeland police of a call between a victim’s mother and Fichter after the mother had learned about the relationship.
Fichter informed the teen’s mother that she still desired to be with him and inquired about the possibility of speaking with him soon.
The mother mentioned that her son had never had a girlfriend before meeting Fichter.
Initially, her son had lied about the relationship, informing his mother that it was an older teen he was seeing. Eventually, his mother came across numerous text messages and deduced that it was Fichter. She stated that her son is currently undergoing counseling.
Fichter is still facing three similar charges in Hillsborough County. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
The case emphasizes the crucial nature of shielding children from intimate abuse and exploitation.
Teachers, who are entrusted with the education and well-being of children, must adhere to high ethical standards and respect boundaries at all times.
Participating in any inappropriate or intimate relationship with students constitutes a betrayal of trust, and those who engage in such behavior must face severe consequences to discourage others from doing the same.
