Howard County (Map, News) - A former Howard County teacher was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for exposing himself to a student in a classroom after school and sending her sexually explicit photographs.

Howard Circuit Judge Richard Bernhardt sentenced former Glenelg High School history teacher Joseph Ellis, 27, to five years in prison for his inappropriate conduct with a 17-year-old student in December 2006.

“Mr. Ellis betrayed the trust instilled in him by the Howard County School System, and in doing that, he betrayed every citizen of this county,” Bernhardt said as he concluded an emotional eight-hour hearing.

The victim, now 18, hung her head as a statement she had written was read in court detailing the guilt she feels and the harassment her family has suffered since the incident.

“I can’t help crying thinking about the fact that he’s sitting alone in jail and he wouldn’t be if I had just kept quiet,” the victim said in the statement.

“I can’t help feeling guilty and cold.”

Bernhardt said the victim’s self-blaming was proof of the “damage” Ellis did by crossing his boundaries as a teacher.

Ellis wept as the victim’s statement was read and offered an apology to her and her family.

“I know it’s my fault, and I think you’re brave for coming forward,” Ellis told the student, turning to face her and fighting back tears.

“I really hope you can forgive me some day. It’s hard knowing that I hurt someone so much, and she didn’t deserve it.”

A Howard jury convicted Ellis in January of child sex abuse, indecent exposure and telephone misuse. Ellis pleaded guilty before the trial began to displaying obscene material to a minor.

The student testified during the trial that Ellis sent her sexual text messages and nude photographs of sex acts during her senior year of high school. She said he also exposed his genitals to her in a classroom after school.

Ellis must register as a child sex offender and attend sex offender treatment. He is prohibited from ever teaching or coaching again.

cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com