Former Anamosa teacher Andrew Buck gets probation on exploitation charge

March 7, 2012 - PRLog -- Buck, 28, of Anamosa, pleaded guilty this afternoon to sexual exploitation by a school employee, an aggravated misdemeanor, in Jones County District Court in Anamosa. A felony count on the same charge was dismissed, and Judge Robert Sosalla granted deferred judgment, meaning Buck’s record will be expunged after he completes probation.

Jones County Attorney Phil Parsons told Sosalla he had no objection to a deferred judgment.

Buck, a former band instructor and coach of the girls’ golf team, was charged in March 2010 for conduct that happened between Oct. 1, 2009, and Jan. 1, 2010. During today’s hearing he admitted touching the victim’s thigh on one occasion.

Addressing Sosalla, Buck expressed “remorse to the student in question. I have lost my career, a career I was very passionate about.”

Buck, who also apologized to his former colleagues and Anamosa students, said he’s been treated by a psychiatrist and psychologist since his arrest.

“This (treatment) in the long run has made me a better person, by knowing how important the choices you make are in life,” he said.

Buck has surrendered his Iowa teaching certificate, defense attorney Leon Spies said. He submitted letters to Sosalla written on Buck’s behalf from “fellow citizens of Anamosa and those familiar with Mr. Buck.”

“The scourge of this event will long live with Mr. Buck,” Spies said.

“You’ve made a pretty serious mistake, a very serious error,” Sosalla said before sentencing Buck.

Buck is also required to pay a $625 civil fine and will be listed on the state’s sex offender registry for six years.

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