JAN. 13, 2006– Cathy Heminghaus of Ferguson, a 46-year-old teacher, was convicted of performing sex acts on students at Ferguson Middle School.
Convicted Sex Offender
CLAYTON — A judge finally madated sentencing for former middle school teacher Cathy Heminghaus. She received six years in prison as punishment for for performing oral sex acts on teenage students at Ferguson Middle School in the fall of 2005.
After a nine day trial the jury convicted Heminghaus of three counts of statutory sodomy, two counts of a teacher having sex with a student and two misdemeanor counts of plying minors with alcohol. However, they acquitted her of 18 other counts.
During the punishment phase of the trial, jurors heard testimony from the father of one of the boys as well as from the principal at Ferguson Middle School, located at 701 January Avenue.
The jury consisting of nine men and three women heard testimony from the defendant’s father and two sisters as well
The jury recommended sentences of two years on each felony count. Judge Jamison was to decide if the counts were to be run concurrently for a maxium of two or consecutively for a total of 10 years in prison, or some other combination.
Additionally the jury recommended a fine rather than jail time on the liquor-for-minors counts. Judge Jamison agreed and fined Heminghaus $1,000 for the offense.
Cathy Heminghaus worked as special needs teacher in math at the school until she was fired by the Special School District shortly after her suprize arrest in January 2006.
State Prosecutor John Quarenghi alleged that Heminghaus willingly performed sex acts on four teenagers, ages 13 to 15. The teens testified during the trial that the leasions took place in the park, her classroom, and in her car.
Heminghaus’s Defense attorney Susan Roach said her client wasn’t the perpetrator in the case, but rather she was the victim.
Since here arrest Heminghaus denied all the allegations with the exception of one count of statutory sodomy. During the trial she testified that one of the teens had physically forced her to perform oral sex while another youth watched.
During deliberations, the jury rejected all of the counts that dealt with locations outside the school.
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