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Leroy H.S. teacher terminated During its regular meeting, March 27, the Washington County Board of Education terminated the contract of Charlene Schmitz, a teacher who was convicted in federal court Feb. 14, of using a cellular telephone and computer to lure a 14-year-old male student for sex. Although Schmitz was found guilty on Feb. 14, the board took no action on her termination more than a week later during its Feb. 22 meeting. At that time the board said the teacher's case was still under "legal review" by its attorneys. Schmitz, who could face a sentence of 12-15 years for the federal conviction, also faces state charges and is scheduled to appear in a Washington County court the week of May 5. Her sentencing in the federal case is May 8. The teacher was first arrested in June of 2007 after the victim's mother alerted Sheriff Richard Stringer to messages she found between the two on her son's computer. During the federal trial, Schmitz's daughter, Tanya Thomas, testified the messages were from her pretending to be her mother. Schmitz was also accused of purchasing a cellular telephone for the victim and using it to entice him. The state charges against Schmitz stem from a second arrest by Washington County authorities Nov. 23 during a Leroy High School football game. She is accused of having illegal contact with the student during the sporting event and is charged with tampering with a witness.
Schmitz was taken into custody by FBI agents, Nov. 27, 2007, following a bond revocation hearing in Washington County Court. She first appeared in a Mobile federal court Nov. 30, at which time she was denied bail by U.S. Magistrate Judge Bert Milling.
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