HARRISBURG - A Poinsett County Circuit Court jury convicted a former Trumann High School teacher Wednesday of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old former student and fathering her child.
Danny Shane Akers, 40, was convicted of one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault, said 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington.
Circuit Judge John Fogleman of Marion sentenced Akers to 25 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and fined Akers $25,000.
“Teachers have a duty to protect children, not abuse them,” Ellington said in a news release. “This 15-year old victim was vulnerable, and Danny Akers took advantage of her.”
Akers taught English at Trumann High School from 2007 until his resignation in2012, when allegations surfaced that he fathered a child with the student. Akers was arrested in February 2013.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Jimmy Gazaway and David Boling tried the case. Akers was represented by Martin Lilly of Jonesboro.
“We’re obviously disappointed in the outcome,” Lilly said. “We will evaluate our options and make a decision [on whether to appeal] within the next week.”
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 04/25/2014