Police officer pleads guilty in assault of 13-year-old boy

April 13, 2018 - 1:13 PM

CLEVELAND - A Cleveland police officer accused of having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy when she worked as a teacher's aide has pleaded guilty to reduced charges including attempted felonious assault.

Maria Velez faces up to nine years in prison after entering her plea Thursday. The 25-year-old has agreed to resign from the police department and register as a sex offender.

Prosecutors say Velez was working as a bilingual teacher's aide at Clark Elementary School in 2015 when she had sex with the student.

Velez resigned from the position in December of that year and joined the Cleveland police force.

A message seeking comment was left Friday for her attorney.

Sentencing for Velez is scheduled May 21.

News from © The Associated Press, 2018

More News ...

iN RESPONSE: Readers have their say
Following are emailed reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the third week of April 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjo

Kelowna winery says accountant took almost a half-million dollars
The owners of a Kelowna winery and golf course allege their former controller took nearly $450,000 in just 30 months on the job. The Turton Group, which owns The View winery as well as Orchard Greens golf course and a rental business, is su

No weed, just beer: Bavaria bans smoking cannabis at Oktoberfest and beer gardens
BERLIN (AP) — You can get drunk at Bavaria's world-famous Oktoberfest, but don't get high. The southern German state will ban smoking cannabis at public festivals, inside beer gardens, and even at the Oktoberfest, the world

B.C. home sales slide almost 10 per cent in March despite mortgage rate drop
VANCOUVER - Home sales in British Columbia fell by almost 10 per cent in March compared with the same period last year, in a slowdown an analyst says could be buyers waiting for lower interest rates. The B.C. Real Estate Association says th

Popular kelowna News

Kelowna winery says accountant took almost a half-million dollars
The owners of a Kelowna winery and golf course allege their former controller took nearly $450,000 in just 30 months on the job. The Turton Group, which owns The View winery as well as Orcha
April 15, 2024 6:00 PM
Body of abducted woman found in Lumby area
The RCMP Major Crime Unit is investigating the death of a woman in the North Okanagan who was reported missing by police over the weekend. Tatjana Stefanski, 44, was last seen getting into a
April 15, 2024 3:57 PM
North Okanagan murder suspect tried to return to family home after release: daughter
Family of North Okanagan woman Tatjana Stefanski, who was found dead yesterday and presumed murdered, say they are dealing with grief, but also some fear and anger. In a social media post, h
April 16, 2024 1:34 PM
Controversial Kamloops homeless drop-in centre sold
A Kamloops realtor has bought a controversial property that is home to a drop-in centre for homeless people in the community. The Loop, at 405 Tranquille Road, is a volunteer-run centre that
April 16, 2024 10:44 AM
North Okanagan family 'aren't safe' after murder suspect released
A North Okanagan man whose partner was abducted and killed says he doesn’t feel his family is safe after police released the suspected killer. Police have released Vitali Steffan, also
April 16, 2024 6:00 PM

Trending Now

TRENDING NOW: Latest humanoid robot amazing yet terrifying

View Site in: Desktop | Mobile

Police officer pleads guilty in assault of 13-year-old boy

Trending Now

Kamloops

Kelowna

Penticton

Vernon