Former youth coach Ben Schuler will spend at least 2.5 years in prison after being sentenced this morning in connection to three felonies related to sexual contact with 13-year-old girls.
Schuler, 24, was sentenced to concurrent 2.5-7-year sentences for attempted lewdness with a child under the age of 14 and attempted use of a minor as a subject of a sexual portrayal in a performance.
Schuler also received a suspended life sentence with the possibility of parole on the most serious charge, use of a minor as a subject of a sexual portrayal in a performance.
Judge Dave Gamble ordered that the five-year probation start when Schuler gets out of prison on the other two charges.
Because the prison terms will be served at the same time, Schuler could be eligible for parole after 2.5 years.
The incidents that led to the allegations occurred between Dec. 1, 2009, and Feb. 24, according to the criminal complaint.
"I encouraged her (the 13-year-old victim) to give me a sexual picture," Schuler told District Judge Dave Gamble when he pleaded guilty in July. "It was through a text message."
On the second charge, Schuler said he inappropriately touched the same girl through her clothing while they were on a school bus on Kingsbury Grade.
The third charge involved a different 13-year-old girl.
"It was the same as count one," Schuler said. "I encouraged her to send me a sexual picture."
He told Gamble he knew the girls were 13 and that the contacts and photos were transmitted via MySpace and text messaging from his Gardnerville residence.
