EL CAJON – A Helix High School teacher charged with having unlawful sex with a student pleaded guilty Thursday morning in Superior Court.

In exchange for having prosecutors drop a second charge, Garry Wilcox, a 44-year-old geography teacher and soccer coach, pleaded guilty to one count of having unlawful sex with a minor.

His defense attorney, Robert L. Grimes, said Wilcox decided to accept guilt because “he admitted he had a sexual relationship” with the girl and wanted to put the matter behind him.

Wilcox was arrested May 18 at his Spring Valley home. He had been charged with arranging a meeting with a minor for illicit purposes and having unlawful sex with a student. The girl was 17 at the time.

Wilcox, a teacher at the La Mesa school since 1995, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.

He is to have no contact with the student, who is now 18, or with any other Helix High School students. Judge Patricia K. Cookson reiterated that order Thursday and also told the prosecutor to inform the victim to stay away from Wilcox.

“There is to be no direct or indirect contact,” Cookson said.

Since Wilcox's arrest, the victim has been contacting Wilcox in person and by e-mail, Grimes said, noting that Wilcox responded once.

Wilcox faces up to one year in jail when he is sentenced Aug. 27.

Four teachers have been accused of sexual misconduct at Helix High over the past two years. District officials have threatened to revoke the school's charter school status unless it proves it has taken steps to improve conditions on campus.

Business teacher Jeff Wenham, who was also a student-body adviser, resigned June 13 after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female student when she was 17. Wenham has not been arrested or charged with a crime.

La Mesa police have recommended that misdemeanor child-molestation charges be filed against him. The District Attorney's Office is still reviewing the case.

In February, former music teacher and band director Jessica Ashley Kahal was sentenced to three years probation for having sex with a 17-year-old male student.

In December 2006, former music teacher and assistant band director Frank Palumbo was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old female student. The girl's father reported the relationship to authorities. Palumbo was sentenced to five years probation last year.

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