Ex-gym teacher pleads guilty to taking bribes

updated 11:03 a.m. ET May 18, 2006

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A former gym teacher in Florida has three years probation for taking bribes from his students so they could be excused from class.

Terence Braxton pleaded guilty to felony bribery. He's been ordered to pay back the dollar-a-day payments he took from students who didn't want to change their clothes for class.

Braxton lost his Florida teaching certificate permanently. But the judge's ruling means he could teach in another state.

The 28-year-old says "it was a mistake" in his first job and he regrets it. Braxton says he wants to complete his probation "and get back to teaching."

A second former gym teacher at Ernest Ward Middle School near Pensacola still faces similar charges. She denies involvement.

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Teen pleads not guilty in killing of brother Delayed Va. Tech alert 'inexcusable' N.Y. prof wrongly ID’d as suspect files suit Vet charged in Fort Drum killings Jail frees wrong inmate named ‘Ismail’   Fugitive ex-wife in Tucson killing caught Man in stolen cell phone pic turns himself in Murder warrant issued for missing Calif. teen Fort Hood cop says her career cut short SUV runs into Ind. day care; 4 kids hurt Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: