A former Pella Spanish teacher accused of sending explicit messages to students has been sentenced.

Juan Carlos Muñoz, 41, pled guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation by teacher, pattern or practice or scheme, a class D felony. Muñoz was sentenced for up to five years of prison for each count, both to run concurrently. He was issued a no contact order and is also required to register as a sex offender, provide restitution for mental health counseling for the victims, and would serve parole after prison. According to an investigation conducted by Pella Police Department Detective Justin Bailey, Muñoz sent a series of inappropriate messages in December 2016 to two students, both under the age of 18. He was a teacher for the school district at the time of the offense. After learning of Muñoz’s illicit behavior, investigators took over a student’s email account and continued communications with Muñoz, receiving three unsolicited photos of Muñoz’s genitalia. Muñoz also attempted to invite one of the victims over to his residence while police were in control of the students’ accounts.

Marion County Attorney Ed Bull issued a statement about the sentencing of Muñoz and former Twin Cedars Teacher Alan Stewart, who received two years of prison for his relationship with a student:

“I continue to be amazed by the strength of young people who have been the victims of sexual abuse to come forward and face their accusers. I cannot comprehend the courage that it must take to disclose sexual abuse. Parents should have to worry about how their children are doing academically in school, or if their children are getting along with their peers, we should not have to worry that when our children are at school that a teacher, a person of trust, is preying on our them. It is fairly simple if you are a teacher, administrator or coach, you cannot have sex with a child. Until such time as every teacher understands this simple statement, law enforcement and my office stand willing and able to make certain that if you engage in this behavior, you will go to prison.”