Former Maui teacher takes plea deal in student sex assault case

hawaiinewsnow

A former Maui band instructor accused of sexually assaulting a former student has reached a plea agreement.

Maui prosecutors say Jim Alan Balicanta of Wailuku agreed to serve a 20-year prison term when he is sentenced in November.

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Balicanta was charged with 27 counts of sexual assault in the first degree and 25 counts of sexual assault in the third degree. Prosecutors say he had a three-year sexual relationship with a student that began when the girl was in the eighth grade.

Balicanta was a substitute band teacher at Iao Intermediate School in Wailuku.

According to the U.S. Marshal Service, the sexual assaults occurred over a 3-year period beginning in the student’s eighth grade year at Iao Intermediate School. The juvenile victim came forward this January with the allegations.

Prosecutors said despite his plea deal, the judge has the option to sentence Balicanta to the maximum of 200 years in prison plus a $480,000 fine.

Balicanta must register as a sex offender he currently remains in custody on $750,000 bail.

This article originally appeared on hawaiinewsnow