Judge to announce verdict Friday in Haglin sexual exploitation case

CEDAR RAPIDS - A judge is to announce his verdict Friday in the case of Mary Beth Haglin, a former Washington High substitute teacher, charged with aggravated misdemeanor sexual exploitation by a school employee.

Haglin, 24, of Cedar Rapids, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old Washington High student from January to May of this year.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever is to pronounce his verdict at 3 p.m. Friday in Linn County District Court.

If convicted, Haglin faces up to two years in jail or a fine between $625 and $6,250. She would also have to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Originally charged with a misdemeanor, Haglin saw that charge upgraded to a felony in November by Assistant Linn County Attorney Heidi Carmer. Carmer amended the original charge, after Haglin appeared on three national television programs, including 'Dr. Phil,” and conducted media interviews in which she admitted to the sexual relationship.

Carmer previously said the interviews revealed a 'pattern or practice of sexual conduct” to trigger the more serious felony charge.

Less than a week before her Nov. 28 trial, Haglin agreed to a bench or non-jury trial based on the 'minutes of testimony” - a limited summary of evidence the prosecution would include at trial - on the original misdemeanor charge. Haglin asked for the non-jury trial after McKeever confirmed the prosecution could file the felony charge and ruled that Haglin, as a substitute teacher, was considered a 'school employee” under Iowa law.

Had the trial gone ahead and had Haglin been convicted on the felony charge, she would have faced up to five years in prison.

Had she pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge, she would have lost her right to appeal pretrial motions made during the case.

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