Teacher sent to prison for three years

ENON, Ohio (WDTN) - A former Greenon teacher who admitted to the sexual battery of a high school student was sentencedOctober 21, 2009. Michael Markeson was sentenced to spend the next three years in prison. The judge also ordered him to register as a tier 3 sex offender when he was released. Markeson pleaded guilty to the sexual battery of a teenager. The charges of rape and gross sexual were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Authorities said Markeson, who was a drama school teacher at Greenon high school, ran into the student at a bike shop in Enon. Prosecuters said Markeson knew the boy from school, and had mentored him at the YMCA when he was a younger.

In June, 2008, authorities said, Markeson invited the boy to his home and offered to pay him for yard work. That is where the sexual assault took place. The teenager reported the incident to his family. He did not appear in court at the sentencing, but in a statement to the judge, he said he was embarassed and was now seeing a counselor.

Markeson apologized for his actions, right before he was led away to jail.

"For the rest of my life I will regret what happened for the five seconds in that house.  Five seconds that changed the rest of my life forever," said Markeson.

Defense attorney Jon Paul Rion said they were satisfied with the sentence.

"We're very satisfied that the more serious charges were dismissed in this case. Michael as he stated, wants to take full responsibility for what he did. He's willing to accept the sentence that is given, and that was the sent anticipated when plea was entered," said Rion.

Defense attorneys say Markeson could be eligible for parole after serving one year in prison.