San Bruno teacher sentenced to jail
for sex with student

By Ari Burack

August 2, 2007

A former San Bruno high school music teacher was sentenced to one year in county jail today in San Mateo County Superior Court for beginning a sexual relationship with one of his female students just weeks shy of her 18th birthday.

Adam Albrecht, 28, a former band teacher at Capuchino High School, was arrested June 28 at his Broadmoor home after the girl's mother discovered cell phone calls and text messages between the two and reported their relationship to police.

Albrecht was charged for acts that took place between February and May, primarily at Albrecht's home.

Albrecht agreed to plead no contest July 12 to one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, one felony count of oral copulation with a minor, and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, for providing the girl with alcohol and marijuana.

According to Albrecht's attorney Steven Clark, the relationship was consensual and began late last year, two and a half months before the girl turned 18, and continued after her 18th birthday.

The girl's mother spoke in court this morning, stating that though her daughter, a drum major in the school's marching band, took responsibility for the relationship being her own idea, she was victimized by "her favorite teacher," a man in a position of authority who should have known better.

"She was driving the boat," her mother said. "But Mr. Albrecht was the adult."

"This is a man who is immature and self-absorbed," she went on. "This is the behavior of a 12-year-old boy who happens to have a car."

Albrecht spoke briefly, offering his "deepest apologies and remorse to the victim and the victim's family."

"I never meant to cause them harm," Albrecht uttered softly. "I will never forget what I have done and I will always be remorseful."

Judge John Grandsaert declined to sentence Albrecht to state prison, noting that he has "no prior record whatsoever," that he resigned his teaching position as soon as the relationship was discovered, and that he has requested to have his teaching credentials permanently revoked.

"I am certain you will not teach again," Grandsaert offered, to which Albrecht nodded in agreement.

"This has been a terribly damaging case," Grandsaert told Albrecht. "It was up to you, as the adult, as the teacher, to show restraint," he went on, noting that the relationship would not have been a felony had Albrecht only waited a few weeks.

"You are the responsible party and you are now the felon as the result of that," Grandsaert stated, "and you will now be sentenced to a year in county jail."

In addition to the judge's order that he surrender to the San Mateo County Jail on Sept. 29, Albrecht was given three years' probation, an order to undergo counseling and treatment, and was ordered to have no further contact with the victim.

His computer and cell phone will now be subject to search by authorities, and he will not be allowed to date anyone who has physical custody of a minor.

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