The North Las Vegas teacher convicted of lewdness with a minor under 14 learned his fate on Wednesday.
Jeremiah Mazo, who was a music teacher at Hayden Elementary School, was sentenced to three consecutive terms of 5 to 20 years.
Mazo was arrested in April 2015 after an 8-year-old girl accused him of molesting her on multiple occasions. He agreed to a plea deal.
Several parents spoke to the judge Wednesday. Fighting back tears, one victim's parent said, "she blamed herself when this happened and that is so difficult to take as a mother."
Even though Mazo apologized, his attorney tried to explain away some of what he did, saying in Filipino culture touching a child's bottom is a way to say good job.
The judge got more than 90 letters saying good things about Mazo, even some from students.
RELATED: Sentencing rescheduled for teacher accused of touching student
Accused of touching little kids while he was a teacher, Jeremiah mazo's sentencing is happening now. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/IefKgoUsWo
— Parker Collins (@parkercollinstv) December 9, 2015
Mazo sentenced to three consecutive sentences of 5-20 years each @KTNV pic.twitter.com/DPNfqMkJd9
— Parker Collins (@parkercollinstv) December 9, 2015
