Former teacher James Hirleman gets 10 years for molestation

By Nathan Donato-Weinstein, The Press-Tribune

January 14, 2009

AUBURN, CA - A former Roseville middle school teacher will spend 10 years behind bars after pleading no contest Wednesday to four counts of illegal sex acts with minors as part of a plea deal reached with prosecutors.

James A. Hirleman, who taught at Buljan Middle School, was originally charged with 14 sex counts in September 2008 for crimes involving a former student. He faced up to life in prison if the case had gone to trial.

The counts Hirleman pleaded to on Wednesday were two of lewd acts upon a child, one of oral copulation on a person under 16, and a new count of lewd acts upon a child. That one involved a second victim, also a former student, who came forward after Hirleman’s initial arrest and media reports.

Hirleman, dressed in a black suit and black sneakers, sat with his head bowed as the two victims and one victim's mother read statements to the court.

They described a man who used his authority as a teacher to ingratiate himself into the lives of vulnerable young boys, then victimized them.

Upon Judge Richard Couzens imposing a total sentence of 10 years for the counts, Hirleman was handcuffed and remanded into custody. He must also pay $10,000 in fines.

Hirleman declined to comment outside the courtroom before the proceedings. Two associates who accompanied him to the courthouse also declined to comment following the court events.

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