High school teacher pleads guilty to child sex crimes, faces a minimum of 10 years and a heavy fine

A Nebraska high school teacher was convicted of a sex offense involving a minor after he was caught red-handed by an FBI sting operation.

Andrew Heller of Whynot, Nebraska, was arrested back in July and pleaded guilty to attempted seduction of a minor.

According to KTIV-TVa guilty verdict carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life, as well as a $250,000 fine.

The verdict was handed down in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa on January 13, with Heller being taken into custody by US Marshals pending sentencing.

Heller was caught in an FBI operation to lure out “those involved in human trafficking in Sioux City,” KTIV reported.

Authorities ran ads on a popular dating app posing as an adult offering sexual services for money.

Heller contacted a secret phone number, and the FBI agent introduced himself as a 14-year-old girl. Heller promised $200 and alcohol as payment for sex.

An appointment was made, and when Heller arrived, he was detained and searched. The police found money, alcohol and contraceptives.

Unfortunately, Heller is not the only example of a teacher who disturbing crimes against children.

According to Fox News349 K-12 educators were arrested for child sex crimes in the US in 2022.

Three-quarters of these cases involved the very students the suspects were assigned to teach and protect.

While these numbers are discouraging to say the least, many are not shocked.

“There is nothing surprising or new in this, although it is difficult to accept this,” said Erika Sanzi from Parents Defending Education.

“Since time immemorial, sex maniacs have found a way to infiltrate an environment rich in children, and schools are no exception.

“Smartphones and encrypted apps have increased access to young children and teens, and while only a small fraction of educators engage in this predatory behavior, we need to be much better at protecting children while following due process. This is an unpleasant topic, but you can’t hide from it, ”she said.

Given that Fox’s analysis only included “public arrests and cannot count undetected or unreported forms of abuse,” the actual number of predatory educators is likely higher, said Cory DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Federation of Children.

“In fact, a 2004 US Department of Education report estimated that approximately 1 in 10 public school students are sexually harassed by teachers by the time they graduate from high school. The Department of Education should update the report as soon as possible to shed light on this abuse.”