Former Hancock Park Teacher Sentenced To Prison For Sexually Molesting Students

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A former English teacher of an elite high school for girls was sentenced to prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting two students.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Joseph Thomas Koetters, 48, of Santa Monica, was ordered to spend one year in state prison, five years on probation and to complete one year of sex offender counseling.

Koetters was also instructed to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. He will not be allowed to be alone with any female children under the age of 18, other than his own.

During today's hearing, Koetters pleaded guilty to two counts each of oral copulation of a person under 18 and sexual penetration by a foreign object involving both victims.

The former Marlborough School teacher is accused of initiating a sexual relationship with one of his 16-year-old students in 2000, according to the criminal complaint.

The student became pregnant, but later miscarried the baby.

In July 2014, a second student notified authorities after learning about other victims through an Internet blog post.

According to the district attorney's office, the crimes occurred between June 2000 and June 2002.

"He has accepted full responsibility for his actions, but in light of the fact that there's pending civil litigation, that's all I can say at this time," defense attorney Leonard Levine said.

The Marlborough School is located in Hancock Park.

Koetters has been barred from teaching at any public or private schools. He will begin serving his sentence on Nov. 13.

Koetters appeared in court for a criminal hearing at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Los Angeles.