Ex-Colony teacher gets six months for sex abuse

PALMER -- A former Colony High School teacher convicted of having sex with a student was sentenced to 18 months behind bars, with 12 suspended.

Seth Daniel Joslin, 35, of Wasilla, was charged with six counts of felony third-degree sexual abuse of a minor and one count of fourth-degree abuse of a minor -- a misdemeanor.

An investigation of the allegations against Joslin began March 13 after troopers received a report that a 17-year-old girl, who said she had been sexually molested, was in Providence Alaska Medical Center, according to court documents.

Trooper investigator Marvin Randall interviewed the young woman, who told him she was a student at Colony High School. The girl was not one of Joslin's students but worked as a teacher's aide for him. Joslin is reportedly a deacon at the church where the girl was a youth leader and a close family friend, court records stated.

The girl told troopers "inappropriate things" between her and Joslin began to happen in July 2000. The girl said she and Joslin were working together in a small trailer where they sold food.

Joslin allegedly started hugging and kissing the girl in July 2000 and later in the summer, progressed to fondling her, according to court records. The girl said the behavior continued until the end of August, when the business shut down.

The relationship between Joslin and the student continued, according to court records, which stated October was the first time Joslin touched the girl sexually. Sexual encounters between the pair allegedly occurred at Joslin's home and in his classroom at Colony High School. In mid-November and early January, Joslin and the girl had sexual relations in the guest room at his home three times, court documents stated.

The girl told troopers after almost every encounter, the two talked about how wrong their actions were and the consequences they could bring. The conversations usually took place after church or the next day in school.

At Joslin's sentencing, his attorney, Robert Herz, argued the relationship was a transgression on Joslin's part and not his normal pattern of dealing with students. Hundreds of people were positively affected by Joslin as a dedicated teacher, Herz said. In losing his career, being required to register as a sex offender for 15 years and by receiving public scrutiny through media coverage, he faces worse penalties than even jail time.

"In asking for a suspended imposition of sentence, which is rare and I've never asked for that for a client charged with this crime before, I realize I am making an unusual request. Yet it is appropriate for Joslin," Herz said.

Palmer Assistant District Attorney Bill Estelle argued that a suspended sentence would be against state law, which requires up to two years in jail. "Seven acts occurred over a series of months and took place on school grounds and private properties," Estelle said.

The teen-age girl made a telephonic statement to the court. "When I moved to Alaska, I was 14 and very young. I trusted too much and thought I had gained a friend. His community standing doesn't change that I was hurt and I will hurt a long time. I hope one day I can get through the day without being plagued by nightmares."

Joslin, making his statement at sentencing, said he wanted to apologize to the girl for the grief and hurt he caused, and didn't want to make any excuse for his actions. "I alone am at fault for what happened, and I will be haunted by shame and guilt the rest of my life."

He apologized to his church, school professionals, students he had taught to "do what is right and strive to do your best," and to his wife and two children.

"My harshest punishment will come when my children find out what I have done," he said.

Palmer Superior Court Judge Beverly Cutler said she had to sentence Joslin to some jail time, and that the amount of time should be at least as much as another Colony High School teacher received for a similar offense.

That other teacher, Rhonda Gildersleeve, was sentenced to six months in jail.

Cutler said the whole community is involved in the educational system and public condemnation is appropriate in light of the crime.

The judge recommended Joslin receive professional help to "help him get to the other side of this so that he does not do harm again."