The former Estancia High School track coach had pleaded guilty to a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a fourth degree felony prior to the sentencing.

Nevelos had been charged in February 2008 with seven charges allegedly committed from 2006 to the end of 2007, including four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. In a plea agreement made in October, Nevelos agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to court documents filed with the plea agreement, "(Nevelos) did knowingly and intentionally engage in a course of conduct, including the offering of alcoholic beverages, the touching of (the first victim's) unclothed buttocks under the pretext of treating a lower back injury, the engaging or attempting to engage her in graphic conversations concerning any sexual activities that she may have engaged in, commenting on his sexual prowess with specific reference to her perceived needs by way of invitation to join him in such activities" and asking her to his home with offers of massages, alcohol and videos.

Nevelos, who wore a light blue shirt to the courtroom last Thursday, was quiet for most of the proceedings and made only one statement.

"I apologize to everybody involved," he said, listing his students, their families and the court among those involved. "I know that my actions and choices have created doubt, confusion and misunderstandings. I deeply regret being involved in this situation and again I apologize."

One victim's mother said Nevelos' sentence should serve as an example, and that crimes against children should not be tolerated.

"I come here as a broken-hearted mother," she said. "These girls trusted you. You exploited them …"

Deputy District Attorney Tim Cornish said that Nevelos took advantage of his position, which put him in charge of other people's children.

"He violated the most important trust that our society confides in another person," he said.

Cornish pointed out that students at the school had an unflattering nickname for Nevelos.

Michael Alarid, the defense attorney, indicated that part of the reason Nevelos got the nickname may have been a misunderstanding. Nevelos would joke about young girls' clothes being too tight or about their cleavage, not as part of a perversion, but as a way to embarrass them into wearing more appropriate clothing, Alarid said.

"He (Nevelos) put himself in some very inappropriate situations … which would never be taken lightly," Alarid said, adding that Nevelos has become withdrawn and something of a hermit since the accusations were made. "The truest words that have been said here today is that no one is going to be happy (with the outcome)."

Alarid later said that Torrance County had been polarized to one side of the issue or another "by rumor alone."

He argued that an appropriate sentence would be probation, since Nevelos had already given up his teaching license and had had to move away from the school.

"I've seen a thin man get so much thinner," Alarid said. "He stands before you naked, from the standpoint of assets and career."

Nevelos' niece, Jamie Bunch, said her uncle had pleaded guilty to the charge to avoid going to trial. She said Nevelos' accusers were "teenagers who started a rumor."

"A part of his soul has been taken away," she said.

Judge Edmund Kase pointed out that the case involved a guilty plea and specific actions.

"Schools are meant to be safe havens and of course they must remain that way," he said.

He said the reasoning behind his sentence is that it should be a deterrent.

Kase said he hoped the ruling would "provide closure to this rather unfortunate case."