By Betsy Finklea
The former Latta High School band director, Tyler Hutto, pled to various charges in court on Wednesday morning and was sentenced by Judge Paul Burch.
Hutto pled guilty to three counts of disseminating obscene material, two counts of sexual battery with a student, one count of assault and battery first degree, and one count of criminal solicitation of a minor.
There were three victims in the case.
Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel emphasized that this was a straight up plea and no deals had been made.
Daniel said that with the first victim, it was an ongoing situation and that there was a consensual relationship. He said there was consensual sexual activity with this victim and that there were photos sent and received on cell phones.
With the second victim, there were photos on cell phones and a small amount of sexual activity between the two, Daniel said.
With the third victim, Hutto had approached her and solicited sexual activity with her, Daniel said.
Hutto’s attorney, Jim Hoffmeyer, said this was a very tragic situation. He said that Hutto had been seeing a counselor shortly after his arrest and that at no point did Hutto minimize his role in the offenses and that he did not place any fault or blame on the victims. Hoffmeyer said that Hutto admitted his wrongdoing and is taking responsibility. Hoffmeyer pointed out all that he said Hutto has lost. He said Hutto gave up his teaching certificate and will have to register as a sex offender. His wife has left him.
Hoffmeyer presented 21 letters to the judge written on Hutto’s behalf and said eight of the people who wrote letters had connections with the band.
Hoffmeyer talked about Hutto’s involvement in various churches through their music programs and his participation in a camp for underprivileged children. He said he didn’t think putting Hutto in prison would help anyone.
Five people spoke on Hutto’s behalf including his grandmother. One woman said that Hutto had a sterling reputation in the community until he messed up. She said he needed a chance to show what he can be. “We all make mistakes. Let’s love him and forgive him and give him a chance,” she said.
Another woman said that Hutto had taught her son and daughter in band. She said her children had always given positive feedback, and she had positive experiences with him as a band parent. She said Hutto was a good man who had made mistakes.
Another woman said that Hutto had taught her grandchildren in band and was a mentor to them. She also asked for mercy for Hutto.
A man said that Hutto had made some poor decisions, but that he was a good man and deserves a second chance. He said that Hutto is ready to get back into the community and support his children.
Hutto’s grandmother said that he had lost everything and that he had made some bad choices and paid a lot for these.
Hutto made a statement which he read. He offered apologies to the ladies involved and their parents, to the Latta schools and his colleagues, to the Latta band, to his extended family, and to his wife and children. He said everyone was here today because of his actions.
He said his seven months of house arrest had been a humbling experience and it helped to show him the person he had been and who he wanted to become.
Hutto said he not just lost a job, but had lost a career and much of his identity as a person. He asked for mercy. “I am truly sorry,” he said.
After Hutto’s comments, the father of one victim spoke and said that there must be justice. He said Hutto didn’t make a mistake, he made many mistakes.
The father of another victim also asked for justice. He said that as band director Hutto was not just a teacher, he was like a coach who the students listened to and were influenced by.
A trauma therapist read a letter from one of the mothers who said that she was angry and wanted Hutto punished.
The therapist said that the young ladies will have issues that they will have to deal with all of their lives. She asked the judge to think about them and their families and every child in Dillon County who has a right to go to school without abuse.
The father of another victim talked about the impact on his family. He said his daughter was approached, and she did not want what he did to her. He said he didn’t want them to make Hutto look like a saint when he’s not. He asked that the judge give no mercy.
Daniel said this was a terribly unfortunate situation that had detrimentally affected the young ladies and their families. He thanked law enforcement for their work, the Latta Schools for their cooperation and the families who he said acted with dignity. Judge Burch made several remarks beginning with a reference to Romeo and Juliet. He then said we can’t control who we fall in love with and sometimes age is not a factor.
Judge Burch said Romeo and Juliet does not apply here. He told Hutto that he was already married and had children and that he knew better than to get involved with a student. He said if it had been one student, it would not have been as bad, but the indictments show that it was several students. “This is not a very good situation for you,” Judge Burch said.
Judge Burch said in considering the sentence he would have to temper justice with mercy. He said it would have been much easier with one student, but several were involved and he would have to react with that.
Judge Burch said Hutto had admitted what he had done and shown remorse and that also had to be considered.
“What’s done is done,” said Burch, who said that he hoped the families would use what had happened to make their bond stronger.
Judge Burch then issued his sentence. On the charges of criminal solicitation of a minor, assault and battery first degree, and three counts of unlawful distribution of obscene material, Hutto received 10 years suspended to 2 1/2 years and five years probation. He must register on the sex offender registry and the child abuse register. He must have no contact with the victims.
On the two counts of sexual battery with a student, Hutto received five years suspended to 2 1/2 years and five years probation concurrent.