Teacher to serve 7 years for sex with student

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - A former school teacher has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a female student she had been tutoring in her home.

The Sun Herald reports 29-year-old Katryna Martin pleaded guilty Monday on charges of sexual battery, touching of a child for lustful purposes and two counts of exploitation for using her cell phone to set up meetings with the girl.

Martin is a former teacher at Harrison Central 7th and 8th grade. She was also a basketball coach at the school.  Martin was originally arrested in March of 2009 for statutory rape.

Circuit Judge Roger Clark gave Martin a total of 20 years and suspended 13 years, leaving seven to serve, followed by five years of probation.

Prosecutors in Gulfport say Martin must serve the seven years day-for-day without eligibility for early release because of the nature of the crimes. She also must register as a sex offender.