Former Sacred Hearts Teacher Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Student

By Lynn Kawano
Hawaii News Now
March 12, 2015

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/28397491/former-sacred-hearts-teacher-sentenced-for-sexually-assaulting-student

A former teacher at Sacred Hearts Academy will spend a year in jail and will be on probation for five years after admitting that he sexually assaulted a student.

William Plourde apologized in court Wednesday to the girl, who was 15 years old at the time. He was 53 years old.

Before Judge Glenn Kim handed down the sentence, Plourde spoke to the court and then turned to the girl and her family, telling them that he was sorry for violating their trust and for the pain and suffering he caused them and the school.

In 2013, Plourde was the girl's teacher. He admitted that he pursued a relationship with her, by sending text messages and emails. He then drove to her home and sexually assaulted her in the car. In another instance, he assaulted her at the school, in a classroom.

In court, the girl made a tearful plea to sentence Plourde to time behind bars. She said Plourde manipulated her and preyed on her.

He pleaded guilty to a total of seven counts. He was originally charged with Sexual Assault in the First Degree but as part of a plea deal, he admitted to Sexual Assault in the Third Degree. With no mandatory minimum prison sentence in the deal, the judge was the one to decide if Plourde should get ten years in prison or five years of probation. He ended up with the probation that includes a year in jail.

But what the family of the victim was especially pleased with, is that Plourde, a 29-year veteran as an educator, will never be able to teach again. He will register as a sex offender and is not allowed to have contact with minors. He was fired from the school after his arrest.