EX-SPRINGBORO TEACHER’S PRISON SENTENCE DELAYED

Panzeca free after drug conviction as defense mounts challenge.

A former Springboro LEBANON — teacher was sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail for permitting drug abuse and contributing to the delinquency of children, including her son.

Amy Panzeca, now 50, was allowed to remain free while her conviction is on appeal.

The case began about two years ago with traffic stops that prompted Springboro police and the Warren County Drug Task Force to raid the Panzeca home in the Settlers Walk planned community.

The son was accused of selling LSD and marijuana to as many as 30 Springboro kids, some of the drugs acquired online with bitcoin with his mother’s help.

He pleaded no contest to charges of trafficking in drugs and possession of controlled substances and was sentenced in December 2017.

On We d n e s d a y, Panzeca declined to make a statement on the advice of her lawyer.

Judge Donald Oda II noted the letters submitted by community members on her behalf.

In 2016, a letter notifying her she had been nominated for the community teaching award said it “places you among the most admired and respected educa- tors in our district.”

Originally placed on administrative leave, Panzeca resigned in December after more than 20 years as an elementary school teacher in Springboro.

She sought treatment in lieu of conviction. Her lawyer, Andrea Ostrowski, urged Oda to overturn the charges, based on problems with the search warrant and other issues raised in hearings and the January trial.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Assistant County Prosecutor Derek Faulkner said Panzeca broke the law and betrayed trust as a parent to her son, to other parents trusting their children were safe at her home and of the school district. He urged Oda to put Panzeca in jail for a year.

Oda said he would not hold Panzeca to a higher standard because he had been a teacher. He said six months was the maximum punishment he could order under Ohio law.