A former Independence teacher has been found guilty of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor by a School Employee, according to KWWL. Kari Schwartz, who most recently was a teacher at Peet Junior High in Cedar Falls, developed an inappropriate relationship with a student in the 2009-2010 school year that resulted in sexual contact. The claim against Schwartz was not made until 2020. The Oelwein Daily Register reported that Schwartz could be heard sobbing in the Buchanan County Courthouse after she was convicted on Wednesday. She will be sentenced on December 21st. She faces up to five years in prison.
