Former Curtis High teacher sentenced to 20 months for sexual misconduct with 17-year-old

TACOMA -- Michael Allen, a 33-year-old former teacher at Curtis High School in University Place, was sentenced Tuesday to 20 months in prison for sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old teacher's aide.

Allen pleaded guilty in August to first-degree sexual misconduct, just weeks after ignoring no contact orders and contacting the 17-year-old victim.

Allen was found to have sent thousands of messages to the female student who was his aide in January, prosecutors said. He was placed on leave after a sexual relationship was uncovered.

He continued to contact the student after he was placed on leave, going as far as to giving her a pre-paid cell phone, prosecutors said. Even after the relationship was uncovered by police, Allen continued to contact the student, prosecutors said, violating no court orders.

Allen was charged with violating a court order in February and has been in custody since March 20.

Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said Allen "abused the trust of his position" and should be held accountable for his actions.

"Our schools should be safe havens," Lindquist said.

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