APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A former Little Chute High School teacher was sentenced in Outagamie County Court Tuesday for sexually assaulting a student.
46-year-old Jason LaVigne was sentenced to five years in prison after he was convicted of sexual assault back in 1999.
He was also placed on extended supervision for 11 years.
The victim spoke in court Tuesday.
“It takes a completely disgusting, repulsive human being to commit these illegal acts to a child, and drag your wife and kids through this, only thinking of yourself,” the victim said. “You deserve the maximum sentencing and to be kept away from innocent girls. I can rest at night now knowing you are behind bars where you belong.”
The state asked for 20 years in prison while LaVigne requested no prison time.
“I ask for your leniency and your understanding of the true facts of this case,” LaVigne said in court. “Do not allow information regarding other, unproven allegations to impact your sentencing. Please consider only the allegation from 20 years ago and ensure that the punishment fits the crime. In closing, Judge Bispkupic, I ask that you grant me probation or house arrest or, if you think time in jail in necessary, to at least grant me work release that I can continue to contribute financially to my family.”
The Judge did not see that as an option in LaVigne’s case.
“What I’m left with, and I acknowledge part of it is a strategic decision by this defendant, is an unremorseful defendant that’s committed repeated acts of sexual contact with a high school freshman,” Judge Vince Biskpuic said. “And the courts are obligated to look at probation as first option. But in the court’s view, based on, in the end, what comes out as the defendant’s character in these isolated incidents with teenage girls and also the aggravated nature of the offense back in 2000 is that it would unduly depreciate the seriousness of the crime to place the defendant on probation.”
According to prosecutors, the girl came forward in 2009. She said that 10 years earlier, when she was 14, LaVigne made inappropriate physical contact with her on several occasions, and asked her not to tell anyone.
In 2009, Little Chute superintendent David Botz decided not to alert police of the allegations. The school board determined that Botz did not violate district policy, since the victim was an adult when she came forward.
LaVigne has not been employed by the school district since July 2018.
He will be in Marinette County Court in September for an unrelated third-degree sexual assault charge after allegedly giving a teen alcohol and sexually assaulting her.
