Marco R. Herrera, 53, pleaded guilty in April in 3rd District Court to three second-degree felony counts of forcible sexual abuse. In exchange for his pleas, seven other felonies, including one count of rape, were dismissed.
Judge Vernice Trease ordered Herrera to serve consecutive prison terms and to pay an as-yet undetermined amount of restitution to the victim.
Before he was fired over the sex allegations, Herrera had been a counselor at Salt Lake City's West High School for 24 years.
Between April and June 2007, Herrera had sexual intercourse with the girl at least three times, and they engaged in other sexual acts on seven other occasions, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors claim Herrera met the girl in November 2006 in his capacity as a counselor. Herrera would "pink-slip" the girl to take her out of class, and at least one episode of touching occurred at Herrera's school office, according to statements made during a September 2007 bail hearing.
The girl, however, allegedly initiated the sexual relationship and claimed she was in love with Herrera, according to previous court testimony.
- Melinda Rogers
