Former Teacher Sentenced For Sex With Teen

A former eighth grade teacher from Brevard County, convicted of having sex with one of her students, was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday morning as part of a plea deal.

Janet Lea Hughes, who is now divorced and goes by her maiden name Florence, will also be labeled a sexual predator.

"I know there is absolutely nothing I can do to change the past," Florence said in court Thursday.

WOMAN SENTENCED: See Images From Court HUGHES IN COURT: See Images From Court PleaREAD:Titusville Police Arrest AffidavitSLIDESHOW:Teacher's MySpace Photos, Mug Shot

Florence, 34, apologized to the court before the judge handed down his sentence. Two years ago she was arrested after getting caught in a van with one of her eighth grade students. She went by her married name until she was recently divorced as a result of her secret liaisons with her student.

Prosecutors played a tape recording police secretly made of the last conversation she had with the student in the back of a patrol car before her arrest.

"This is what I'm afraid of. My life being ruined and I can't believe my life is ruined over this," she said on the recording.

"Just be calm. Just, like, be calm," the student told her.

Her defense attorney argued for leniency in the sentencing, pointing out it was a consensual sexual relationship and, even though the student was in the eighth grade, he was 16 years old at the time.

The judge said the former teacher faced up to 30 years in prison, but under the plea deal she faced between one year and six. The judge sentenced her to five, saying the law doesn't consider the gender of the two involved or whether it was consensual.

"You violated the trust of the parents of your students," the judge said.

In tears, Florence was sent to prison. Even when she gets out, her punishment will continue. Labeled a sexual predator, the former teacher will never be allowed to live within 1,000 feet of a school.

Previous Stories: May 5, 2009: Former Teacher Pleads Guilty On Sex Charges April 24, 2007: Teacher Allegedly Caught Having Sex With Teen In Van