Ex-Teacher Had Sex With Student, Sent Partially Nude Photos: Cops

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN — Officials announced Tuesday that Christine Lee Funk, 32, of New Hope was sentenced for criminal sexual conduct. Authorities say Funk engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old student on three occasions in February 2017 while she was a high school music teacher in Mendota Heights.

The terms of the sentence include a stay of execution of 36 months, 180 days in jail, 10 years of probation and she must register as a predatory offender.

"Sexual abuse of a student by a teacher is deeply disturbing conduct," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement. "We are pleased to have brought Ms. Funk to justice for this criminal conduct."

According to the criminal complaint, On Feb. 27, 2017, a school resource officer from Mendota Heights Police Department received information regarding inappropriate text messages occurring between a 17-year-old male student and his music teacher.

In reviewing the messages, officers found conversations that suggested the teacher and the student had engaged in sexual relations. Officers also discovered that the teacher had sent several partially nude photos of herself to the student, according to authorities.

Funk taught music at Henry Sibley High School, the Pioneer Press reported.

Authorities say during an interview, Funk denied having sexual relations with the student and explained that any text messages of a sexual nature were a "fantasy." When confronted about texting partially nude photos of herself to the student, Funk initially denied doing so, but then admitted doing so after being shown the pictures found on the student's cell phone, according to police.

Authorities say the student reported receiving text messages and partially nude photos of Funk, but initially denied having sexual relations with her. After a full search of his cell phone, additional text messages were recovered that further suggested Funk and the student had engaged in sexual relations, according to the criminal complaint.

The student later admitted to having sexual relations with Funk on more than one occasion at: Funk's residence in Hennepin County; at the high school; and in a vehicle parked outside of the student's home in Dakota County.

Under Minnesota law, it is a felony offense for a teacher to have sexual relations with a student under the age of 18 if the teacher is more than 48 months older than the student.

Read the entire criminal complaint below:

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