Former Wrestling Coach To Spend At Least 15 Years In Prison
BROOMFILED, Colo. (CBS4)- A former Broomfield High School teacher and wrestling coach was sentenced to ten years to life in prison for having sex with an underage student.
Travis Masse was convicted of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust on May 3. He was also convicted of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust with a pattern of abuse.
During his trial, former students testified that Masse had sent sexual text messages. One student said she and Masse had sex while she was underage. Masse admitted to texting but denied there was sexual contact.
During Thursday's sentencing, family members of the victims took the stand to share how their lives have changed.
"She's been in ongoing counseling. She was isolated because of the nature of this crime, her trust in men has been shattered," said one victim's mother.
The victim claims the relationship began to develop when she was 15 years old. The prosecution claimed Masse sent the victim more than 8,900 text messages within a three month span, many with sexual content and referring to sexual encounters.
"She has learned to be guarded. She learned sexual predators exist everywhere, even in her high school. She learned she isn't safe with anyone, even people she grew up with thinking she could trust. This is not the education I had hoped for," said one victim's parent.
The judge had a stern message for Masse before he was sentenced.
"I don't think these girls are going to look back on their time at Broomfield High School with a good feeling and that's not their fault, that's your fault because you were the adult. You were in control," said Broomfield District Court Judge Richard Ensor.
Masse showed emotion in court, even crying when the judge talked about how this has affected Masse's family and his wife, who was also a teacher at Broomfield High School, his son and his parents.
Masse is expected to spend a minimum of 15 years in prison.
Masse was facing similar charges involving a student in a separate trial this fall, but pleaded guilty to those charges on Thursday. The judge allowed sentencing for both victims to run concurrent.
