Instructor sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexual abuse

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) – A former color guard instructor at a western Kentucky high school has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing several male and female students over three years.

The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (http://bit.ly/2a67vBo ) reports that 28-year-old Justin T. Graham of Newburgh was sentenced Monday at a hearing attended by the victims and their families.

Graham is a former color guard instructor at Apollo High School in Owensboro. He pleaded guilty in May to one count of felony first-degree sexual abuse and five amended counts of felony second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

Prosecutors said the abuse took place over a three-year period beginning in 2011 and involved at least five students.

After serving his sentence, Graham must register as a sex offender for 20 years.

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Information from: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, http://www.messenger-inquirer.com

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.