Teachers arrested in junior high school sex scandal
BOUNTIFUL — Two junior high school teachers here have been charged with rape, accused of having sex with the same teenage boy.
The scandal at Bountiful Junior High has stunned students, parents, administrators, police and prosecutors alike.
It came to light when seventh-grade Utah history teacher Linda Nef, 46, went to authorities with her lawyer and admitted to an affair with a student, said Bountiful Police Lt. Randy Pickett.
"She confesses to having sex with a 13-year-old boy at Bountiful Junior High," Pickett said Friday. "He was one of her students."
Under questioning, Pickett said, Nef revealed that the boy was also having sex with another teacher, Valynne Bowers. Detectives then questioned the boy, whom police said admitted to having sex with both women. Bowers was questioned Thursday night and arrested.
Bowers, 39, was booked into the Davis County Jail early Friday and charged with rape and forcible sodomy, both first-degree felonies. She made a brief appearance Friday in Farmington's 2nd District Court. Bowers posted bail and was released from jail Friday night.
Police said Bowers told them her affair with the student occurred from Jan. 2 until Feb. 27, when he was 14. Nef is accused of carrying on an affair with the boy from December 2007 until Feb. 14, 2008, according to prosecutors.
"He was in her class," Pickett said of the boy. "Neither teacher knew of the other until recently."
Nef was charged late Friday with rape of a child and sodomy on a child, both first-degree felonies, and surrendered to police at the Davis County Jail, where she was booked and released pending a March 27 court appearance. Her attorney, Sean Druyon, declined to comment when contacted by the Deseret News on Friday.
Deputy Davis County attorney Richard Larsen said they are taking Nef's cooperation with authorities into account.
"I'm sure everybody involved has a desire to get this resolved as quickly as possible," Larsen said. "But we're not in a position where we can discuss plea negotiations. Our opinion is certainly we appreciate the cooperation and we're fully intending to take that into account."
At Bountiful Junior High, teachers were in "shock," said Davis School District spokesman Chris Williams.
"They are serious charges, and there's just absolutely certain lines you cannot cross as an educator," Williams said Friday.
Bowers has been a teacher in the Davis County School District since 1996, working for a decade at an elementary school before moving to Bountiful Junior High in 2006 to teach math. Williams said she has been placed on administrative leave.
Recent comments
The glaring facts in these cases are that child sexual abuse has...
obvious | April 3, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.
I'd hit it.
Word | March 21, 2009 at 7:33 p.m.
Everyone confessed. they are guilty. the DISTRICT sends out a letter...
ha ha ha, he he he | March 10, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.
- Knicks defeat winless Nets 12:23 a.m.
- Iginla powers Flames to win 12:20 a.m.
- Editorial: Hold the line on taxes 12:19 a.m.
- Secularists and religious arguments 12:19 a.m.
- Credit cards: Friend or foe? Depends 12:19 a.m.
- Gay rights, Blue Dogs, grateful hearts 12:19 a.m.
- Bibby sprains ankle at New Orleans 12:19 a.m.
- Civilian trial for accused terrorist 12:18 a.m.
- Palin shows plenty of celebrity talent 12:18 a.m.
- What does force accomplish? 12:18 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Police link alcohol to murder
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Hall breaks BYU record with win
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
192 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
127 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Hall breaks BYU record with win
93 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
Insurance companies can be regulated but the federal government cannot be...
Kathy Griffin was AMAZING - She sold out the entire hall, that is something...
Scrap the bridge idea, it will be a financial bust that the taxpayers will...
We've heard their "no," but where are the ideas? I hate what the Dems have...
Because this story was written this evening (Saturday night) this story will...
It may be a good idea to base your testimony on Jesus Christ rather than on...
The women's basketball team is 3-0 and the Men's basketball team is 1-2....
Long time Y fan here but I must admit that Utah's speed worries me. D's win...
November 28th will be the high light of my life. Well except when I got...
Jaime Hill needs to stay!!! He is doing awesome things for the defense right...


