A Fort Lauderdale newspaper has reported that a former Lantana, Florida high school drama instructor has accepted a plea deal negotiated by his Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer. Andrew Foster, 28, was a teacher at Santaluces High School when he began dating and having sex with two of his students, one of whom became pregnant as a result. Foster took the girl to obtain an abortion. She reported their activities to police when she was devastated by the discovery that he was engaged in an ongoing sexual relationship with another student. The teen had thought she and her teacher were exclusive couple planning to spend their lives together. Foster was later arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor in Broward County.
Foster’s criminal defense attorney indicated that the second young woman wanted to remain in contact with her former teacher. She testified on Foster’s behalf, telling the court that since she is now an 18-year-old adult, she would like to be allowed to remain in contact with Foster during his prison term. The woman, who is now a college student, told the court that she was not harmed by her relationship with Foster. The court ruled that while the teen may write to Foster, he is not allowed to contact her at all, even in response to any letters she sends. Circuit Judge Lucy Chernow Brown told Foster he is not to communicate with the victim through “skywriting [or]…any way that can be conceivably imagined.”
Under the terms of the plea deal negotiated by the prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers in the case, Foster will spend a total of five years incarcerated. Following his release, he will remain on sex offender probation for another decade following his release. Foster will also be required to submit to lie detector tests and HIV testing, in addition to the restrictions placed on all sex offenders with regard to where he may reside or find employment.
In Florida, unlawful sexual activity with a minor is a sex act between a child aged 16 or 17 and an adult 24 years of age or older. It is a second degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 for each count. Foster’s plea deal allows him to spend only five years in prison, with the 414 days he had served while awaiting sentencing counting towards the total.
If you have been arrested in Florida, contact William Moore, P.A., which has experienced south Florida criminal defense lawyers with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Broward, and Fort Lauderdale Counties.
Former drama teacher at Santaluces High gets 5 years in prison for sex with students, South Florida Sun Sentinel, November 7, 2008.