Former Sioux Falls Teacher Who Had Relationship with Student Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge
On Friday, a former Sioux Falls Middle School teacher admitted guilt to two counts of sexual contact with a child under 16. As a result, 34-year-old Tonya Drueppel will have three fourth-degree rape charges dropped against her.
Drueppel was once a teacher at Axtell Middle School where she forged a relationship with a 14-year old student. Investigators discovered that the two had multiple sexual encounters in various places.
In January of 2014, detectives were trying to put together a case and were speaking to both Dreuppel and the victim. One affidavit reported that the two were seen kissing in public.
Before Drueppel’s arrest, she had left her teaching position in the summer of 2013. Authorities found Drueppel at the Nites Inn on January 29, 2014 where she was trying to end her life by using an electrical cord to hang herself.
Drueppel could faces up to 15 years in prison, and $30,000 in fines. Judge Robin Houwman posted the sentencing date for May 22, 2015.
More From Hot 104.7 - KKLS-FM
