Former teacher receives sentence

WAYNESVILLE, Mo. -- A former Willow Springs High School English teacher has been sentenced to three years probation for having sexual relations with a 16-year-old student.

Rebecca L. Gregory, 39, pleaded guilty Tuesday to an amended charge of child endangerment before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Douglas Long Jr., said Gregory's attorney, Joe Passanise.

Gregory originally was charged in Texas County with one count of second-degree statutory sodomy and one count of second-degree statutory rape.

Under a plea agreement, she will avoid a felony conviction if she successfully completes probation, Passanise said. She also agreed to give up her teaching certification in Missouri.

Gregory, a married mother of three, still has a case pending in Howell County, Passanise said.

The allegations came to light when a student filed a complaint.

"She and her husband and family are ready to move past this and get their lives back in order," Passanise said. "They've moved out of the area. She's extremely appreciative and grateful to the prosecuting attorney that she'll be able to walk away without any felony conviction in this."

Willow Springs, a town of about 2,000 residents, is located in south-central Missouri.