Judge Denies Plea Deal That Would Spare Sexting Teacher From Prison

VALPARAISO, Ind. (CBS) -- Parents upset with a plea deal that would spare a former teacher any jail time for sending explicit texts to students have convinced a judge to reject the plea agreement.

CBS 2's Susanna Song reports 45-year-old Bryan Tyman's attorney had asked a judge to sign off on a plea deal that would have seen him sentenced one year of house arrest, and five years of probation after that, after admitting he sent explicit photos to three girls at Fegely Middle School in Portage, Ind.

The deal also would have required Tyman to register as a sex offender for 10 years, surrender his teaching license, and not accept any teaching positions.

Roy Peeler, the father of one of the victims, said he thinks probation would send the wrong message.

"I believe Mr. Tyman should be in prison," Peeler said. "He can do some kind of time. He can do some kind of time, and it's just going to set an example for the entire community that you can't do this to our kids, and get away with it. You can't do it. It shouldn't be tolerated."

After Peeler and other parents delivered victim impact statements at a court hearing on Wednesday, the judge in the case decided not to agree to the plea arrangement, and ordered all parties back to court on Nov. 27, giving the defense until then to rework the plea deal.

Parents said they're glad the judge rejected the deal Tyman had sought.

"He methodically preyed on our children. He was trying to groom our children to eventually have sex with him, and that's what upsets me the most," Peeler said outside court.

Another woman, who said she has a 6-year-old child, questioned whether the deal would have allowed Tyman to get another job in the school system after completing his sentence.

"I mean, just because he doesn't have a teacher's license doesn't mean he still won't be able to interact with children," one mother said.

Tyman had told the judge he's sorry he found himself in this position. He claimed he wanted to help kids who came from tough backgrounds like he did. He also said he's deeply sorry to the girls, and will spend the rest of his life trying to make up for his actions.

Tyman was caught last Christmas, and initially was charged with sending nude pictures of himself, and also having sex with an underage student. The sex charge was dropped, but Tyman admitted to sexting students.

Tyman's defense attorney had argued the proposed sentence was just, claiming Tyman already lost his livelihood, has been publicly humiliated, and would be monitored by the courts for six years.