Fomer Lewis-Palmer coach pleads guilty to harassment charge

A former middle school girls basketball coach originally charged with multiple counts of felony sexual assault pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor harassment charge.

Gregory Jackson, 35, agreed to surrender his teaching certificate for a year while he's on probation as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

"I'm happy I was cleared of the sexual charges," Jackson said after the hearing. "I didn't do that. I didn't touch these kids in a sexual manner."

Jackson faced up to life in prison if he had been convicted of any of the five felony sexual assault on a child charges.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Nan Scranton dropped those charges as part of the plea agreement, which was mediated before a senior district judge. She told 4th Judicial District Judge Gilbert Martinez that the girls and their parents signed off on the plea agreement.

"This is the correct disposition," Scranton told Martinez. "There was potential proof problems with the required mental state of the crimes charged."

To prove the felony charges, prosecutors would have had to prove to jurors Jackson knowingly and intentionally touched the girls in a sexual manner.

El Paso County Sheriff's investigators brought the case in December, after a Lewis-Palmer Middle School administrator told them parents had complained about Jackson.

When confronted by school officials, Jackson denied the allegations, according to an arrest affidavit.

Jackson, a former seventh-grade mathematics teacher, no longer works for the Lewis-Palmer School District, a spokeswoman said Monday. She said school officials had no other comment on the matter.

Jackson's attorney, Allen Gasper, told Martinez his client was entering an Alford plea to the harassment charge, meaning Jackson maintains his innocence but admits prosecutors might have enough evidence to prove the harassment charge.

"He's got no criminal history at all," Gasper told Martinez. "He's been coaching since he was 15 years old and teaching since 1999. ... I don't believe we'll ever see him back here."

If Jackson successfully completes his probation, the conviction will never be entered on his record. He will also be able to petition the court to seal the case file from public view.
Other terms of Jackson's probation include:

• He will undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendations.

• He will donate $1,000 to KidPower, a not-for-profit company that offers safety education for children.

• He promised not to coach any females under 18.

Even though he was not found guilty of sex crimes, Jackson said he understands he likely will not be able to teach again.

"I look forward to moving on with my life," he said. "Unfortunately, with the seriousness of the charges, I'll likely have to pursue other opportunities."