Former Olin teacher gets 5 years in prison for sexual exploitation

Jeremy Chamberlin, the former Olin High School teacher and volleyball coach convicted of sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old student, has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Noting “the defendant's failure to take responsibility for his actions” and an assault conviction after a similar incident three years ago, District Court Judge Sean McPartland sentenced Chamberlin, 34, to 180 days on each of six misdemeanors and five years on a felony count of sexual exploitation by a school employee.

McPartland ordered the sentences be served concurrently. He also added a special sentence of 10 years' parole or probation supervision, to begin when Chamberlin is released from prison.

A jury convicted Chamberlin April 22. In addition to the felony count, he was convicted of two counts of lascivious conduct with a minor and three counts of disseminating or exhibiting obscene materials to a minor.

The victim testified that Chamberlin's texts about school and volleyball became sexual in nature in September 2009. She said he kissed and groped her on one occasion despite her resistance.

The disseminating charges stem from three pictures of male genitalia Chamberlin emailed to the victim.

Chamberlin pleaded guilty to simple assault in Mahaska County after he was charged in August 2008 with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. He was accused of grabbing a 16-year-old female student's breast and trying to put his hands down her pants during her birthday party in September 2006, according to court records.

He was suspended from his job on the Oskaloosa school district faculty and resigned in April 2009. He started as a substitute in Olin that spring and was hired that summer to teach and coach girls' basketball and volleyball.

Almost immediately Chamberlin struck an intimate relationship with the girl, according to the complaint said.

Olin Superintendent Jayne Richardson said a background check by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation did not show the sex abuse allegation from Mahaska County. The assault conviction was a simple misdemeanor, and Chamberlin explained it as a “family matter,” Richardson said.

Chamberlin was placed on paid leave in January 2010. He was suspended, and later fired, after the charges were filed.