Patterson Sentenced in Sex Case

San Martin
– Hollister resident Jeffrey J. Patterson, 32, who had a sexual
encounter with a 17-year-old female Sobrato High School student,
will serve 60 days in a work-furlough program and will not be
required to register as a sex offender, according to the sentencing
punishment handed down Monday morning a
t the South County Courthouse.
San Martin – Hollister resident Jeffrey J. Patterson, 32, who had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old female Sobrato High School student, will serve 60 days in a work-furlough program and will not be required to register as a sex offender, according to the sentencing punishment handed down Monday morning at the South County Courthouse.

Before Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shapero sentenced Patterson, the victim’s mother asked that Patterson receive the maximum punishment for felony oral copulation with a minor.

The woman, who identified herself as “Charity,” said the former Sobrato High football coach and math teacher was “fully aware” of the girl’s “delicate mental status. … He was fully aware of her lack of self-worth and immaturity, which makes the seduction so much more deplorable.

“He manipulated her feelings so much that she was sure it was OK for him to tell her, ‘When I have sex with my wife I think about you.’ The whole episode has got (my daughter) mentally worse off than ever before,” the woman said.

The mother then stated the victim has been to the emergency room because of an overdose and added: “Impact on our whole family unit has been horrific. My other two children, ages 5 and 8, have been exposed to more than what is fair.

“We’ll be facing these demons forever. I feel the punishment for Mr. Patterson should be maximum,” she said.

Then alluding to the victim’s age when the crime occurred, the woman said that although she was an older victim, she was emotionally younger and referred the judge to a letter written by the girl. “Because of Mr. Patterson’s mental and physical seduction of my daughter it will be many years, if any, before she will be able to be in a stable relationship.”

Deputy District Attorney Steve Fein said the fact that the act was consensual and the fact that the student was nearly 18 likely played a role in the judge’s decision to release Patterson to a community corrections program that will allow him to work while serving time in a residential corrections facility.

“When we look at the case, we look at things like the age of the victim, whether the act was consensual or not consensual, we look at if there is any sort of prior behavior, prospects in the future … whether this was a situational type of thing or indicative of a larger problem,” he said.

Larry Biegel, Patterson’s attorney, said, “We submitted a very detailed report to the court, showing Jeff’s life for the 32 years he’s been with us, describing the difficulties he’s had but also the incredible strengths he’s developed. … The report shows the whole person, not just someone who made a significant error in judgment.”

He entered a plea of no contest on Aug. 24 to one count of felony oral copulation with a child. A misdemeanor charge of annoying or molesting a child was dropped.

He will begin serving his sentence after his wife gives birth to their second child, Biegel said.

Sobrato Principal Rich Knapp said he could not comment on the sentencing.

Patterson was arrested April 3 after months of investigations by the Morgan Hill Police Department. 

Biegel said he feels the sentence Patterson received was fair.

“To me, the significant finding is that he is not a sexual predator, that he will not have to register for the rest of his life; the judge declined to impose that obligation upon us,” he said. “He made a mistake and is forfeiting the right to teach. But to be labeled a predator, that would have been intolerable and would not have been just. … He’s a good person who made a significant error.”  

Patterson’s plea of no contest and his acceptance of his position may have led Shapero to give a much lighter sentence than the possible year in jail the charge can bring. 

“The judge commented that he appreciated that he was not laying any blame on the victim, that he was taking responsibility for his actions because he was the adult,” Biegel said. 

The incident occurred Nov. 4, when Patterson urged the student to forge a note to get out of her sixth period class, she told police. She left class and then waited on Burnett Avenue for Patterson to pick her up. 

Patterson picked up the girl in his car and drove to the UPS store. The student, who is now 18, told her father that after the UPS store, Patterson drove to an empty parking lot at the intersection of two county roads and parked. She said she had oral sex with him.

The student’s father called police on Nov. 8. According to the entry in the police dispatch log, he told the dispatcher he “believes the act may be consensual, but the daughter did see a counselor today because she is very emotional.”

Patterson, who was the head football coach, did not return to school after Nov. 9. He did not travel with the varsity team to its last game of the season or attend the banquet for the varsity and junior varsity teams.

Biegel said Patterson would be working to support his family and working to rebuild his reputation.

“He is forfeiting a great deal of prestige, and he is going to lead a good, decent life.”

Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.