A former Evergreen High School drama teacher who pleaded guilty in July to having sex with a 15-year-old male student was sentenced Wednesday afternoon to five years in prison.

The sentence was handed down after attorneys clashed over whether Stephanie McCrea should serve more than the standard 60 months, or whether she should be allowed to enroll in a special sentencing alternative for sex offenders, which would have provided a lighter sentence in return for completing mental health treatment.

Clark County Superior Court Judge David Gregerson said he felt the special sex offender sentencing alternative requested by the defense would be inappropriate in McCrea’s case. Likewise, he said he didn’t see the need for an exceptionally long sentence. With an exceptional sentence, McCrea could have faced up to 76 months in prison.

Gregerson said McCrea’s actions were not only a betrayal of trust but an abuse of trust. He said he made his decision in part by considering the community’s potential reaction if the situation had involved a male teacher and female student.

Before the sentence was handed down, McCrea, 36, tearfully read a letter of apology.