Ex-Goodyear teacher pleads guilty to sex with 13-year-old
A former Goodyear teacher will face up to 30 years in prison for molesting a 13-year-old student.
A video of Monday’s change of plea hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court showed Brittany Zamora, 28, pleading guilty to sexual conduct with a minor, attempted molestation of a minor and public sexual indecency.
Zamora’s previously blonde hair was grown out to a natural mousy brown. She stood next to her attorney in the traditional orange Maricopa County jail jumpsuit. She sniffled and cried throughout the 15-minute hearing.
Zamora spoke only in response to Judge Sherry Stephens’ questions. Some of her responses were barely audible.
Maximum possible sentences
The first count of sexual conduct with a minor carries a minimum sentence of 13 years in prison and a maximum of 27, with a presumptive sentence of 20 years, according to the plea deal.
The prison sentence for the second count — attempted molestation of a minor — can range from five to 15 years. The plea deal noted the presumptive sentence is 10 years.
The final count of public sexual indecency has a maximum sentence of up to 1.5 years in prison.
Zamora would likely be in her 50s when she’s released from prison. She’ll then have to register as a sex offender and would serve lifetime probation.
The plea agreement also forbids her from having contact with any of the victims or to return to the scene of the crime, which would include the school
where she once taught. Zamora would likely have to pay restitution to her victims.
Zamora was previously charged with 15 counts total, including eight counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. Twelve counts were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
While a plea deal means fewer charges and likely less jail time than if Zamora had been found guilty in a trial, it also means the young victims won’t have to take the stand and testify against her while she sits in the courtroom with them.
Zamora’s attorney, Belen Olmedo Guerra, did not responded to a request for comment. She’s scheduled for sentencing on July 12.
Zamora accused of relationship with sixth-grade student
Zamora was arrested in March 2018 and accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her sixthgrade students at Las Brisas Academy.
Records obtained by describe how Zamora and the boy had sex multiple times in her car and classroom — once with another male student in the room. The two even sexually touched each other while oblivious students watched a video during class, records show.
Zamora is also accused of sending naked pictures of herself to the student.
The boy’s parents are seeking $2.5 million in damages, according to a civil lawsuit filed in January against Zamora, her husband and the Liberty Elementary School District. That lawsuit is still ongoing.