Former Emmaus teacher pleads guilty in love letters case – Allentown Morning Call

A former Emmaus High School teacher pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawful contact with a minor for sending sexually explicit love letters and text messages to a 17-year-old female student.

Heather Montero, 36, of the 4200 block of South Drive in Lower Macungie Township faces one to two years in Lehigh County Jail when she is sentenced Oct. 30.

She was fired in February soon after a county grand jury recommended charges of unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors.

During Tuesdays court hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk told Judge James T. Anthony that the victim said the love letters and messages between herself and Montero were fantasy talk.

The victim has maintained, very adamantly, that sexual contact never occurred, Falk said.

Anthony ordered Montero to undergo a sex offenders evaluation before sentencing. Falk told the judge he would not be surprised if the victim testified on Monteros behalf during sentencing.

According to court records:

A state trooper began investigating in November 2015 after a tip that Montero was having a sexual relationship with a student. The trooper first reviewed Montero's Twitter profile and found postings and photos involving Montero and the girl.

The trooper interviewed the victim, who is now 19, and reviewed her Twitter account and cellphone. The girl said she began baby-sitting for the Montero family in January 2015 and had a close relationship with Montero.

At some point, the two began talking by text and Twitter direct messages about their attraction for each other, the girl told the trooper. The girl said the attraction never became physical, but they discussed having a relationship only after she turned 18 and graduated from high school.

Montero never testified before the grand jury, asserting her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Falk said the victim did not want police to pursue charges against Montero, but police and prosecutors filed charges because it was the right thing to do.

mgamiz@mcall.com

Twitter @mannypantalones

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Former Emmaus teacher pleads guilty in love letters case - Allentown Morning Call