A judge ordered a two- to five-year prison sentence Monday for a former fourth-grade teacher who admitted to touching a student’s genitals in class.
Francisco Misajon, 49, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of sexual conduct between school employee and student. Court records indicate each count was tied to a different victim.
He and prosecutors agreed that he would serve two to five years in prison.
District Judge Mary Kay Holthus indicated dissatisfaction with the plea agreement.
“The only reason I’m going along with this is because he’s at least acknowledged what he did,” she said.
She ordered Misajon to register as a sex offender and undergo lifetime supervision.
Misajon, who was born in the Philippines, does not have a path to returning to the United States after serving his sentence, said Chief Deputy Public Defender Erling Oster.
Misajon’s visa has expired, and he is removable following the conviction, according to his lawyer.
He worked as a fourth grade teacher at Innovations International Charter School in the central Las Vegas Valley. Police said he grabbed the genitals of a student, whose pants were on, when the boy went to his desk for help.
Misajon initially denied and then admitted to police that he touched his student’s genitalia. Police later sought additional victims.
No one from the victims’ families addressed the judge, but the mother of one of the victims was in the courtroom.
Misajon apologized.
“I hope you will forgive me for what I’ve done,” he told the judge, speaking through an interpreter.
“It’s not up to me to forgive you, sir,” Holthus said.
Oster said Misajon has shown genuine remorse.
During Misajon’s interview with police, detectives gave him paper to write an apology note and he did.
“Dear (redacted) I am very sorry what I have done to you,” the defendant wrote, according to a police report. “I really didn’t mean it. You are such an amazing boy. I regret what I have done with you. I am so sorry, (redacted) I hope you will forgive me. I sincerely apologize. Mr. Misajon.”
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
