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Texas High School Teacher Arrested On Sex Charge Save Email Print
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(May 13, 2008)—Police say a former Early High School teacher is accused of having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student.

Brown County Jail records show that 23-year-old Joy Blackstock was free Tuesday on $15,000 bond.

She was arrested last week on a charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student.

Blackstock, who was named in a sealed indictment handed up on May 1, turned herself in Thursday at the jail, according to Early Police Chief David Mercer.

The charge, a second-degree felony, is punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Although the student was 18 at the time, a Texas law makes it a felony for a teacher to have sexual contact with a student in the same school, regardless of whether he or she is legally old enough to consent.

Mercer says that in this case, the student consented.

Early is a town of 2,600 residents near Brownwood.
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Posted by: Michelle R Location: Killeen, TX on Jun 16, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I agree that the laws are to protect other students from an unbiased learning environment. Teacher/Student relationships in the same school creates a conflict of interest with OTHER students. It IS only fair. But PRISON does seem a little extreme as punishment. If it were a child under 18 (17 in TX), then I could see pushing a federal indictment. As far as the couple is concerned, if they it completely necessary to maintain a relationship they should have been more discreet about it. As two "consenting adults" they (especially Joy) understood the risk they were taking when they decided to become involved with each other. In any event, I hope the juice was worth the squeeze.
Posted by: Jorge Location: Nacogdoches on Jun 5, 2008 at 04:58 PM
In regards to different school etc, i think it may be okay. I wouldnt say do it because state law says "impropper relationship between an educator and student" but it doesnt say when, where, or how this relationship can evolve. This being said, it might just be broad enough to jump between schools regardless of teacher/student relations. Nevertheless, I would find that a little far fetched especially if the offending teacher is not in the same district as the student. To be absoutley safe, if i were an 18yr old student, Iwouldnt be dating a teacher from my school district for her sake because of state law.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 19, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Is it only a felony if the teacher and student go to the same school. What if a Teacher has sex with an 18 year old student from a different school?
Posted by: Anonymous on May 16, 2008 at 01:06 PM
For those of you who think you know THIS Joy Blackstock, she is NOT the same Joy that was from Mullin! Just watned to set that straight!!!!
Posted by: Rachel Location: Temple on May 15, 2008 at 07:22 PM
The charge according to the news article is an inappropriate relationship. If it is a teacher's job to be unbiased and treat all students fairly, it seems appropriate that students and teachers observe boundaries of interaction. Sexual interaction certainly crosses those boundaries. Additionally, it seems that in order for parents to feel secure and know that there children are safe as they go to school, it is crucial for lawmakers, school districts, and campuses to have strong regulations regarding interactions between students and teachers. Because both individuals are adults and reportedly consenting, this seems to be an appropriate charge and response to an appropriate law. What I wonder about is the determination that a student was truly "consenting". It might be the case that the student felt coerced into engaging in an inappropriate relationship in which case sexual harassment concerns need to be addressed. Most schools now have strong sexual harassment policies in place.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 15, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I would just like to know who turned them in!?!?
Posted by: Gerry Location: Cameron on May 15, 2008 at 09:50 AM
It's stupid this law is a felony. They were both adults. Misdemeanor at the most. With this charge on her record I doubt she'll ever get another teaching job so why rub salt in the wound by making it a felony. Now if the "victim" had been younger, that's a different story. Stupid law maker's probably came up with this one in an election year.
Posted by: Cassanova Location: Waco on May 15, 2008 at 09:06 AM
When I was in school I had 3 teachers my senior year who went above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you ladies, My special education was very much appreciated and remembered.
Posted by: Jee Location: killeen,Tx on May 15, 2008 at 12:20 AM
I blame the school district. They should did a back ground check on the teacher. The student knows right from wrong. I strongly feels both of them is wrong. She got arrested on a sex charge, and he did'nt and there is no justice.He is not under age.
Posted by: Chris Location: Copperas Cove on May 14, 2008 at 08:57 PM
So, If they were in different schools, then they could do whatever they want. Texas laws are so screwed up. And guess what, It's our tax dollars that put these people in jail, feed them and even pay for the transportation , and housing of loved ones who come visit them while they are in prison . Who says crime doesn't pay ? How screwed up is that.....
Posted by: centex mom Location: centex on May 14, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Ginny the difference is that the girl in the other story was only 16 and her adult boyfriend in his 30's. Here they were both consenting adults. What the teacher should have done was waited another month, school would be over he would have graduated and then nothing would have been said or done because they are both consenting adults!
Posted by: patriot reality check Location: bounced on May 14, 2008 at 05:57 PM
This is NO different than the teacher that married the 17 year old student! This boy is 18 and she is NOT being charged with a sex crime just an appropriate relationship! The relationship is wrong and thats what she'll be punished for! Again just like the other lovebirds, why didnt they just wait til school was done?! Also if you read the very first post, that is why sentencing is different for female perps accused of sex abuse! Older man and underage female is appalling but older woman and underage male is some kind of rite of passage especially among males that have no male children!! They are all asking where was she when i was in school! But again this is not a case of underage abuse! To citizen: lol you are so right! Heck even if it was heb you'd still be right!
Posted by: ginny Location: cove on May 14, 2008 at 02:39 PM
she was wrong period she is a teacher the boy is a student. i have to agree with Martin. fair is fair she should not have been messing with a student i don't care if he was 25 there are rules about students and teachers dating. if this had been a man all hell would be breaking loose. in fact not long ago a teacher was trying to marry a female student i think he got put in jail he had the mothers permission to marry the girl. hello whats the difference? women have been know to break laws too make em equal.
Posted by: citizen Location: waco on May 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
She was 23 he was 18 would we be reading about this if she was his supervisor at a fast food joint?????????
Posted by: Anonymous on May 14, 2008 at 11:58 AM
to Female in Waco.....article says.."Texas law makes it a felony for a teacher to have sexual contact with a student in the same school, regardless of whether he or she is legally old enough to consent." THAT'S WHY!!! BTW...I personally know this Lady....wild!
Posted by: Madmax Location: Killeen on May 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Lucky guy..
Posted by: Waco100 Location: Waco on May 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
i am with you jealous, were were they? i know a few who could have victimized me as a senior.lol. but seriously i do agree with Marlin, because i culturally dont see it as wrong kid woman as i see kid man. why is that? is it that we are taught that men cant be victims, where indeed they can. i dont know the case, but the law is the law and if it were a man he would not even be out right now.
Posted by: female Location: waco on May 14, 2008 at 10:26 AM
He was 18 years old for goodness sake, he in Tecas law is an adult Why should she be punished?
Posted by: Tamara Location: Waco on May 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Before the spelling and grammar committee comes on here and start bashing me and everyone else I had a typo, "said". Thank you!
Posted by: thomas Location: texas on May 14, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I think that law was written to protect students from predators. But this doesn't seem like she was preying on this "kid". Before anyone thinks I'm sticking up for teachers doing this, I'll say that I do think its wrong, but not necessarily punishable by jail time or a felony charge. The "victim" was 18 years old. No one can say that he didn't at least know in part what he was doing. Let's not get to assuming that 18 year old boys are all innocence and naivity. If he were caught with something like drugs, or if he had gotten into trouble over an assault, he would of course be charged as an adult. But because he became romantic with a teacher, he's suddenly the sweet little victim who could do no harm until the wretched old school teacher came and took advantage of him. People talk about this being a case of "women getting off easy", but I think in this case it's the spirit of the law, not the letter. Unless she's being charged with rape, being fired should be enough.
Posted by: Marlin Location: Marlin on May 14, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Okay, will she get the maximum sentence like a man would? I doubt it. I have been reading these types of stories for a couple of years and it seems that whenever the teacher is a woman, she gets an extremely light sentence for incarceration, or no time behind bars at all just probation, usually the judge does not require the woman to be registered as a sex criminal either. Whenever a man is caught doing this kind of stuff, the man gets a max sentence, sent to jail, and has to register as a sex criminal for the rest of his life, and generally is regailed as a monster. Will this be a repeat? Sexy woman gets ashes hauled by student...lucky Boy student! Read that this way and think of equal rights under the law....Sexy Man gets ashes hauled by student...lucky girl student! Makes your blood boil the second time doesn't it? Then they should be given the same sentences for the same crime regardless of the sex of the student or Teacher! Equal sentences, are a must for justice in America!
Posted by: Tamara Location: Waco on May 14, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Ok now being 18 is not so bad. When I went to Waco High 94-98 one of the seniors was dating a teacher and they are married with kids still until this day. So at 18 you are old enough to make good choices. Now had they saud rape then we would be talking about something totally different!
Posted by: Lauren Location: Coolidge on May 14, 2008 at 09:03 AM
people are just so sick
Posted by: jelous Location: texas on May 14, 2008 at 08:58 AM
where were these teachers when i was in school, maybe i would have paid more attention in class knowing i get a reward after school.
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