GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A former high school teacher is headed to prison after he pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with one of his students.
The former UGA football player and teacher at Parkview High School said he took the plea to accept his responsibility.
But before being taken to prison, Mikey Henderson listened to an outraged judge and a very hurt victim.
“He won’t even look me in the eye right now, there he is,” the victim told Henderson.
At first, the now-18-year-old victim didn't want to speak in court, but after hearing Henderson’s plea, she took the stand.
“I just know I was used, I was manipulated,” the victim said. “I thought it was something else than it was, obviously.”
Henderson played wide receiver for UGA, then went into teaching. He was a broadcasting instructor and assistant football coach at Parkview when he was charged with sexual assault. The 33-year-old admitted to a two-year relationship with the then-16 and 17-year-old, including several encounters with his student on Parkview property.
“My client was not the pursuer of this relationship. He was the pursued,” said Henderson’s attorney Jared Mitnick. “Again, it was his responsibility to make sure it never happened, and he failed in that capacity."
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Judge Tom Davis agreed to the plea deal in which Henderson will serve five years in prison and another 15 on probation, but he wasn't happy about it.
“I condemn you sir, I condemn you to the life that you have created for yourself,” Davis said. “You will not outrun this shame.”
The judge had a message for the victim.
“I say to the victim, you are never going to forget it, but the grace I saw today gives me hope that you will triumph over it,” said judge Tom Davis.
Henderson played wide receiver for UGA, then went into teaching. He was a broadcasting instructor and assistant football coach at Parkview when he was charged with sexual assault.
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