Ex-teacher pleads guilty

GOODING, Idaho – A former Bliss High School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student last fall has pleaded guilty to felony sexual battery of a minor.

Anna Bettencourt acknowledged Monday in 5th District Court that she had improper sexual contact with the boy. Her plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors, who first charged the 39-year-old in February with two felony sexual battery counts.

Jerome County Prosecutor Paul Horgan, a special prosecutor in the Gooding County case, dropped one of the battery charges and dismissed a $5,000 fine as part of the plea agreement.

Horgan recommended that a judge sentence the south-central Idaho woman to between three and 10 years in prison. Attorney James Meservy, who is representing the former social studies teacher, said he may push for a shorter term at her Aug. 25 sentencing.

Bettencourt and the teenager told police they had sex twice, once at the high school.