By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A former North Rowan High School teacher will go to prison on charges that he had a sexual relationship with a student.
Zachary Paul Greene, 30, was charged with three counts of felony indecent liberties with a student. He entered an Alford plea today in a Rowan Superior courtroom.
An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain his innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to obtain a conviction.
Court officials told Greene he was eligible for probation, but Greene rejected the terms and instead chose an active prison sentence. He will serve 16 to 20 months in the N.C. Department of Correction for the convictions.
He was charged in April 2010 after a third party informed school officials of a relationship with a 17-year-old student.
The student, who the Post has not named, is now 19 and was in court. She spoke briefly, saying she was a willing participant, contrary to what prosecutors, her parents, the courts or the media may say.
Greene was in district court earlier this week, where a judge revoked his probation on two convictions of driving while impaired and another of carrying a concealed weapon. He will also serve an active sentence for those crimes.
See Thursday’s Post for more details.