A former choir teacher at Choctaw High Schoo l has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a student that lasted more than a year.

Samuel Taylor Melton, 30, of Moore, will be on probation for 25 more years after his release from prison. He must register as a sex offender.

He pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Aug. 19, in Oklahoma County District Court to 15 sex crimes. At times, he wiped away tears with a tissue.

"He's incredibly remorseful," his attorney, Chris Box, told reporters afterward. "He wanted closure, not only for himself, but for the victim."

Melton's wife, father and mother were present in the crowded courtroom for the sentencing, the defense attorney confirmed.

The guilty plea was to four counts of rape by instrumentation, three counts of sec

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