Former Estero teacher works out sex assault plea deal

Bryan Anderson

For the first time since turning himself in back in March, former Estero High School teacher Domenic Frank admitted in court Monday to having sex with an Estero High student. That changed from his original plea of not guilty.

The 25 year old agreed to a plea deal which means he must register as a sex offender. Plus he’ll serve 60 months of probation. To put that deal into perspective, his sexual assault charge carried a 15 year maximum prison sentence.

“When Mr. Frank was arrested it was an unfortunate situation. He was a young teacher on his way to doing good things as an educator,” said Frank’s defense attorney Sawyer Smith.

Frank was in his first year as a Lee County teacher at Estero High. He taught French and Spanish, and coached boy’s varsity soccer. This case landed him on the unemployment line. As part of his plea deal, Frank is banned from the classroom for good.

“He gave up his teaching certificate, which is a strong punishment for this young man,” said Smith, “He’s not able to reapply for that.”

For the next 5 years Frank will be on probation. He wants to serve that in South Carolina.

“Mr. Frank regrets what has happened,” Smith said.

He’ll be a registered sex offender for life, but that could change.

“He has an ability after 20 years to come back and move to have that removed,” said Smith.

Source: nbc-2