Sexual exploitation trial for former substitute teacher to be moved to Tama County

CEDAR RAPIDS - A judge has decided to move the sexual exploitation trial of Mary Beth Haglin, a former Washington High substitute teacher, to Tama County based on pretrial publicity.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever said he granted the move, requested by the defense, based on some of the news coverage regarding longtime Washington Principal Ralph Plagman and associate principal Mike Johnson losing their jobs over the handling of the internal investigation into the alleged sexual relationship between Haglin and a 17-year-old student. McKeever said potential jurors could 'draw a conclusion in this case” - meaning they may think she is guilty because two school employees lost their jobs.

Haglin, 24, is charged with felony sexual exploitation. She is accused of having a sexual relationship with the student while she was a substitute teacher at Washington High from Jan. 1 to May 17 of this year.

If convicted, Haglin faces up to five years in prison.

McKeever said his ruling to move the trial isn't based on the number of articles, or content of the articles, that the defense argued created prejudice against Haglin. He said he didn't find the articles to contain 'inflammatory” or inaccurate information.

McKeever also ruled that Haglin was considered to be a 'school employee,” according to state statute. The defense had asked the court to rule otherwise before trial, arguing that as a substitute teacher, Haglin was not officially a school employee. McKeever reserved a ruling on another issue raised by the defense - whether Haglin would be eligible for a deferred judgment or suspended sentence and probation if convicted.

Prosecutors argued against the change of venue, saying Haglin created much of the pretrial publicity by participating in several news interviews, as well as appearing on episodes of 'Dr. Phil,” 'Inside Edition” and 'Crime Watch Daily.” During those interviews and appearances, she repeatedly admitted to the sexual relationship and gave details of her interaction with the student.

The defense also asked the court to vacate the order approving the trial information for the upgraded charge from an aggravated misdemeanor to a felony because it didn't have the opportunity to argue against it.

Prosecutors filed to amend the charge of sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist or school employee, an aggravated misdemeanor, to sexual exploitation, a felony.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Heidi Carmer said the motion to amend was based on 'new evidence.” The prosecution cited Haglin admitting during her interviews and television appearances a 'pattern or practice of sexual conduct” with the student.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill approved the trial information for the felony charge and Haglin entered a written not guilty plea to the charge earlier this month.

Another hearing is to be set to take up that issue.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com