Banning Christian school teacher who had sexual contact with student sentenced

A former teacher at a Christian school in Banning who had inappropriate contact with a female student was sentenced today to three months in jail and three years' felony probation, as well as ordered to register as a sex offender.   

Nicholas Garrett Corl, 26, of Banning pleaded guilty last month to attempted sexual intercourse with a minor and molestation of a child under 18 years old under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors dropped a related felony charge.

Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense. In addition to three months in custody, the judge ordered Corl to spend an additional 90 days in a sheriff's work release program, during which time he'll have to be gainfully employed or attend school.   

The plea bargain requires the defendant to register as a sex offender under Penal Code section 290 as part of his probation. The registration bars him from having any contact with a juvenile outside of his family. The terms specify that Corl cannot be "within 100 yards of where minors congregate, including but not limited to schools, yards, parks, amusement parks, concerts, playgrounds, swimming pools and arcades."

He must also keep law enforcement informed of where he's residing.   

According to a Banning Police Department arrest warrant affidavit, Corl was on the faculty of Calvary Christian School in Banning.   

The declaration said that he was spotted with a 15-year-old girl, whose identity was not disclosed, in a storage room on the campus last Sept. 12. A witness saw the student on his lap, face-to-face, in a dark room while classes were underway, police said.

The school is part of Mountain Avenue Baptist Church, which is next door.   

A church employee went to the police station that day and reported "criminal acts against a child that occurred on church property," according to the affidavit.

The ensuing investigation culminated in the defendant's arrest hours later at the Vista Serena Condominium Complex.   

Corl was dismissed from his position.   

He had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.