Former substitute teacher Mary Beth Haglin convicted of sex exploitation will start serving jail time in October

CEDAR RAPIDS - A former substitute teacher convicted of sexual exploitation of a Washington High student last year will start serving her 90 days jail sentence in October.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever ordered Mary Beth Haglin, 26, of Cedar Rapids, to serve her 90-day sentence in three separate terms - 40 days starting Oct. 10, 20 days Nov. 26 and 30 day Jan. 2 at the Linn County Jail.

Haglin, a former Washington High substitute teacher, was convicted of sexual exploitation by a school employee, an aggravated misdemeanor in December 2017. She had a sexual relationship with 17-year-old student from 2015 through 2016, according to McKeever's previous ruling.

Haglin agreed to a bench or non jury trial based on the 'minutes of testimony” - limited evidence presented by the prosecution.

McKeever sentenced Haglin to 360 days, but suspended 270 days, which left 90 days for her to serve.

Haglin filed an appeal, which allowed her to delay her sentence until the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled on the case. The appeals court made a ruling May 2, upholding her conviction.

Haglin's lawyer asked the court that she be granted furloughs on several days during her jail time so she can complete online course work from Kirkwood Community College. Jail inmates can't access the internet while in custody.

McKeever granted those furloughs, and also authorized her work release up to 60 hours per week - meaning Haglin can check in and out of jail for employment.

Many jail inmates are granted work release if they have verified employment. The court doesn't verify employment or approve type of employment. The Linn County Sheriff's Office makes that approval, according to McKeever's order.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner didn't return a message left Tuesday.

Haglin in May was employed as a stripper at Woody's Show Club in Cedar Rapids, according to court documents. Ociel Avila, 18, of Oklahoma City, Okla., was charged in June for stealing Haglin's cellphone May 28. Haglin was working as a Woody's dancer at the time.

Avila pleaded guilty earlier this month to fourth-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor, and ordered to pay a $315 fine and victim restitution in Linn County District Court.

Haglin also has started her two year sentence of supervised probation, according to officials at 6th Judicial District Department of Corrections.

Haglin, as part of her sentence, is also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and will be on a special sentence of parole for 10 years because this was a sex crime.

According to McKeever's ruling, the 17-year-old student met Haglin in the spring of 2015, when she was a student teacher at Washington High. Haglin and the student then met again the fall, when Haglin returned to work as a substitute. They also admitted to messaging each other through social media and had sex in October 2015.

Haglin also sent nude photos to the student, and their sexual relationship ended in early June 2016, according to the ruling.

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