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Posted: February 17, 2010

Former teacher avoids jail with plea in sex case

Dudley, N.C. — A former Lenoir County teacher avoided jail time on charges she had sex with a student with a plea entered Tuesday.

Shannon Grace Herring, 32, of 728 Sykes Road in Kinston, was charged in March 2009 with two counts of sexual activity with a student. She was a teacher at Southern Wayne High School.

She pleaded guilty to neglect and was sentenced to 24 months unsupervised probation, ordered to pay a $300 fine and must perform 50 hours of community service and undergo a psychological evaluation.

The charge stemmed from alleged activity between Herring and a 17-year-old student off school property, authorities said.

Web Editor: Jodi Leese Glusco

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35 Comments

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Latest Comments

She can find work at most universities, she will fit right in with the middle aged male professors.

james27613
February 18, 2010 7:19 p.m.

The age of consent in North Carolina (the age at which a juvenile can consent to vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with a person older than the juvenile, and the older person will NOT be guilty of statutory rape or sex offense) is now 16 years of age. Let me repeat that: the age of consent is now 16 years of age. Prior to October 1, 1995, the age of consent was 13 years of age. Because of the above three quoted statutes which are controlling on this issue, sometimes the older person will be guilty of a Class B1 felony, and on other occasions will be guilty of a Class C felony. More on that later. Just remember: the age of consent in all cases, situations and circumstances is now always 16 YEARS OF AGE!

firedude
February 18, 2010 6:03 p.m.

Being of the male gender I have a statement and a question. First the statement:

At that age I knew exactly what I was getting myself it to. No need to throw the teacher in jail. I suspect the same goes for females of that age.

And now the question:

Where were all these female teachers that were having sex with the students when I was coming along? I find it hard to believe I was that oblivious to what was going on around me.

eternalrage83
February 18, 2010 4:21 p.m.

Sex discrimination. If it had been a man he would have been thrown under the jail!

prn13norm
February 18, 2010 4:12 p.m.

So I guess this means she doesn't have to register as a sex offender. If she were a man and the student was some daddy's 17 year old baby girl, would it be a different outcome? Probably so.