Former Utah teacher sentenced in sexual abuse of teen

A judge has sentenced former Provo, Utah high school teacher and athletic trainer Donald Bills to prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Donald Bills, 54, will spend at least eight years with the chance of life in prison for sexually abusing the then 17-year-old student, KSL.com reported.

The inappropriate relationship was brought to light after the girl's friend discovered text messages from Bills on the victim's cell phone.

Initially, Bills pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing the girl and waived his rights to a preliminary hearing. However, when the case went to trial, he then pleaded guilty to forcible sodomy, object rape, forcible sexual abuse, obstructing justice and tampering with a witness. In exchange for his guilty plea, 10 additional charges were dropped.

In court, the now 19-year-old victim cried as she recounted the sexual abuse she experienced at the hands of her former science teacher. The student stated the two initially met when she was 16-years-old, but their relationship did not become sexual until after she was 17.

Bills' former student informed the court he would use his religious affiliation to calm any fears she had. Furthermore, she discussed how Bills made threats of humiliation to keep her from speaking out about the abuse. She described to the judge how Bills would say how overcome by his feelings for her he was and would often tell her that "he had no choice."

As the sentence was being read, Judge James Taylor called Donald Bill's crimes "particularly heinous." Judge Taylor stated, "he took advantage of his trusted position to lead the victim into positions she was not mature enough to manage."

While addressing the judge, Bills gave an apology to the teen and her family, his own wife, the judge and court staff and prosecutors. In his apology he stated, "I am truly sorry for what I've done. It disgusts me. I never saw myself in this type of situation."

Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitiesmith