Two Former Wamego teachers pleaded guilty Tuesday in Pottawatomie County District Court in connection to sex crimes involving a former Wamego High School student.
Allen Sylvester pleaded to two felony counts of unlawful sexual relations. Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck says the offenses are considered presumptive prison, which the state will seek. The court can depart to probation without a finding of substantial or compelling reasons.
Deborah Sylvester pleaded to a felony count of aggravated child endangerment and a misdemeanor count of failure to report child sexual abuse as a mandated reporter. The felony offense is presumptive probation, though the court can impose up to a 60-day jail sentence. Deborah could also face up to 6 months in jail on the misdemeanor offense.
Allen, a former science teacher at Wamego High School and Middle School was arrested in late May in Wabaunsee County and later was also charged in Pottawatomie County. Deborah, a former Wamego High math teacher was arrested less than a month later. Both resigned their positions from USD 320 in early June. The incidents reportedly occurred between December 2019 and May 2021.
Both will be sentenced on June 15 in front of Judge Jeff Elder, with Allen’s hearing at 11 a.m. and Deborah’s hearing at 1 p.m.
