Schools
Ex-Assistant Principal Sentenced in Student Sex Case
Man, 53, was convicted of 11 counts, including unlawful sexual intercourse and committing a lewd act on a child.
SAN DIEGO -- A former administrator at a San Diego school for troubled youths was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison on Nov. 10 for initiating a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female student with drug problems.
Kettrell Berry, 53, was convicted in July of 11 counts, including unlawful sexual intercourse and committing a lewd act on a child.
The victim -- who turned 16 during her relationship with Berry -- testified that she established a bond with the defendant soon after arriving at the school in December 2011. She said Berry -- an assistant principal -- would counsel her, meet her after school and listen to her problems. She said she and Berry began hugging at the end of meetings and the relationship turned sexual.
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Deputy District Attorney Renee Palermo said Berry would have sex with the girl in different classrooms and even gave her a card and ring for her birthday.
During the investigation of the case, authorities found that a 12-year-old girl at the school had made allegations of sexual misconduct against Berry 15 years ago, but no charges were ever filed. Now 27, she testified at trial about what the defendant did to her.
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"I'm scared still,'' the woman told Judge Charles Rogers. "I felt like if something was done earlier I wouldn't be in this situation. He was somebody I trusted. Psychologically, you messed with me,'' the woman told the
defendant.
Another 18-year-old woman testified that she began dating Berry about six months after she left the school. The woman -- who was addicted to drugs -- said Berry preyed upon her, manipulated her and within seven months she was pregnant with his child. Palermo said the woman was 19 years old by the time
she had the baby.
The judge sentenced Berry to the maximum term under the law, nine years and eight months, calling the defendant's conduct "a highly narcissistic breach of trust.''
Palermo said Berry abused his position of trust and power.
"He blames everyone but himself,'' the prosecutor said. "He knew their weaknesses.''
Berry was initially charged in 2012, but charges were dismissed and re-filed two years later after prosecutors received the results of newly tested DNA.
By City News Service/Image via Shutterstock
