A former Muskegon Heights Public School faculty member is facing 15 years in prison for having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
32-year-old Zolton Vines is charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct, after admitting he had intercourse with a 15-year-old middle school student while working at Muskegon Heights schools.
According to Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat, authorities arrested Vines in June after being tipped off about the relationship from sources inside the school.
At a hearing last week, a judge said if Vines entered a “guilty plea” Vines would only have to spend a year in prison and not 15, if the victim’s family agreed to the terms, and if Vines registers as a sex offender.
If Vines pleads not-guilty, the second-degree charge carries a max sentence of 15 years and does not have a minimum sentence.
Vines had reportedly worked at the district for ten years and coached the boys junior-varsity basketball team coach.
