A former teacher who was caught straddling a 15-year-old former student inside a car earlier this year pleaded no contest to sexual assault Monday and entered a plea deal.

Maris Alexandra Gonzalez, now 24, was arrested on Jan. 20 after a police officer investigating a burglary call in a Northeast Side neighborhood came across Gonzalez and the boy inside a Mazda 3 with foggy windows.

The plea agreement assesses her punishment at five years and indicates the state recommends she serve the time on probation rather than in prison.

Gonzalez is due back in the 187th state District Courtroom for sentencing in October. Without a plea, or if state District Judge Steven Hilbig chooses not to follow the plea deal, she could face up to 20 years for the second-degree felony.

Gonzalez, who taught French at both Madison and Churchill high schools, resigned her post and surrendered her teaching certificate on Dec. 9, four days after the Texas Education Agency launched an investigation into what the boy’s parents reported were late-night and frequent phone calls from the teacher.

Court records indicate that during an eight-day period starting in late November they logged 44 phone calls back and forth.

While the TEA determined Gonzalez had violated its code of ethics, both she and the student denied any physical relationship had taken place, court documents state.

When interrupted by police while in the car with the student, in a cul-de-sac behind his home, Gonzalez initially told the officer she was 20 years old and he said he was 17.

mcasady@express-news.net

Twitter:@MichelleCasady