Joe Billera, Update 

Joe Billera, Update

The Tuesday, Dec. 28th Statesman Journal reports on Monday's plea by Mr. Billera.

"Teacher pleads guilty to sex charges

Joe Billera would faces as many as 12 years in a plea deal



STATESMAN JOURNAL

Joe Billera appears in court Monday.

TRACY LOEW and DENNIS THOMPSON
Statesman Journal


December 28, 2004

Houck Middle School band teacher Joe Billera pleaded guilty Monday to 10 of 15 sex-related charges involving four former students.

Billera hopes to get a reduced sentence of six to 12 years, based on a pretrial conference with Judge Albin Norblad.

Deputy District Attorney Darin Tweedt said he would try to persuade the judge to impose a longer sentence. If the judge agrees, Billera could choose to change his plea and request a trial.

The statutory maximum for the crimes is 53 years.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 19, although Tweedt said the date probably would be pushed back.

Billera, 30, was arrested at Houck on Oct. 29 after a former student filed a complaint. An investigation resulted in further charges -- 15 in all. He has remained in the Marion County jail without bail.

Billera pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree rape, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, three counts of second-degree sodomy and one count of endangering the welfare of a minor.

The last charge is in relation to an incident in which Billera allowed his son, who was younger than 5, to witness a sexual act.

He also had been charged with one additional count of first-degree sexual abuse, two additional counts of second-degree sexual abuse; and two additional counts of second-degree sodomy. Under the plea agreement, those charges would be dropped and no additional charges could be made in connection with the four named victims.

The courtroom was packed with students and parents.

Billera did not look at those in attendance. He answered clearly, "Yes sir," as Judge Robert C. Cannon described each of the offenses and asked whether Billera had committed them.

"He was pretty resigned to his fate," Tweedt said outside the courtroom. "This is his choice, to move quickly. Otherwise, this would be a much lengthier process."

Tweedt said that Billera has agreed to undergo a psychological evaluation before sentencing.

Billera's attorney, Paul Ferder, said Billera accepted the plea deal in part to protect the victims, two of whom he still cares for deeply.

"He's a very accomplished musician and teacher," Ferder said. "Unfortunately, he developed friendships with the students he taught. Sometimes when you develop friendships, the line gets a little bit blurry. Some people have a tendency to cross over that line."

Ferder said he hopes to convince the judge that Billera can be rehabilitated.

"It's destroyed his marriage. It's destroyed his career," Ferder said. "I hope that parents can forgive what he's done."

Jean Scott, a former teacher and friend of Billera, said she was "very disappointed."

"We're sad for Joe and his family," Scott said, her voice cracking. "We're hoping he can get some kind of counseling or support to help him through this problem."

Scott said she had seen absolutely no warning signs that Billera might be capable of such acts.

"The only reason I can believe it now is that Joe has admitted to it," she said.

Billera is married and has taught in the Salem-Keizer School District for eight years. He also assisted with the bands at North Salem and McNary high schools.

He remains on paid leave, said Joe Weiss, the district's human resources director. Weiss said termination proceedings will begin after Billera is sentenced, unless he chooses to resign before then.

"We're hoping to have it resolved within the next 10 days," Weiss said.

tloew@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6779"