Image Credit: Wilson County Sheriff’s Office & Google Earth
The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –
A former Lebanon High School teacher has finally been sentenced for crimes committed in 2015 and 2016.
Michael R. Hargis was charged in 2021 and pleaded guilty in July of 2023 on charges of statutory rape by an authority figure.
The victim was a student at Lebanon High School where Hargis taught culinary arts. That student was only 14 years old at the time.
In 2016, Hargis had been arrested for a DUI and in 2017, Hargis had been suspended from his position at the school because of matters unrelated to the statutory rape case. He resigned shortly thereafter.
Hargis’ sentencing includes six years in prison followed by four years of supervised probation. Restitution in the amount of $1,564, as well as a $200 fine, are required to be paid. Hargis’ will be registered as a violent sex offender.
This sentencing has been a long time coming with the charges being brought in 2021 and the crime being committed all the way back in 2015 and 2016.
Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
