A former Fairfield High School teacher has pleaded guilty to charges involving a juvenile student.
Vannen “Rusty” Crabtree Jr., 58, of Richland, entered written guilty pleas to felony grooming and aggravated-misdemeanor sexual exploitation by a school employee. The sexual-exploitation charge was reduced from a felony as part of a plea agreement.
The case began after Fairfield Police investigated allegations of inappropriate social-media contact between Crabtree and a student. A separate charge of lascivious acts with a minor was dismissed in August because of insufficient evidence.
Prosecutors plan to request consecutive sentences totaling seven years, while Crabtree is expected to seek a five-year sentence. The final sentence will be determined by the court.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 9 at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairfield. Crabtree will also be required to register as a sex offender and serve a 10-year special sentence following his prison term.