CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A former teacher and coach from a Catawba County high school has been sentenced after pleading guilty to sex crimes with students.
Jeb Bass, 30, who previously worked at Fred T. Foard High School has been sentenced to 32 to 58 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of performing a sex act with a student.
The incidents happened from July 2015 to December 2015 with a then-15-year-old student and in September 2016 with a then-17-year-old student.
An investigation began in May 2017 after school officials received reports of inappropriate conduct between Bass and students.
"Cases like these divide our communities, and it was our job to find a resolution that balances justice and deterrence with the wishes of the victims," District Attorney Scott Reilly said. "Now that this case is behind us, it is time for the county to come together and move forward."
More than 50 community members were in the courtroom in support of Bass and said he had already been punished for his crimes by losing his job and not being able to interact with young people.
One of the victims also spoke and said she did not want Bass to go to prison.
Bass will also serve 60 months of supervised probation once he is released from prison. He also must have no contact with the two female victims and will have to register as a sex offender for 30 years.