Bainbridge coach pleads guilty to sex with student

PORT ORCHARD — A former Bainbridge High School coach accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a then 18-year-old student pleaded guilty last week to a reduced charge and was sentenced.

Nicole Elizabeth Hebner, 36, had been charged with a felony, first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor, for being involved with the student during the student’s senior year. At the time of the relationship, the student was 18 and turned 19. On Thursday, Hebner pleaded to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.

She was sentenced to 30 days in custody, which can be converted to electronic home monitoring rather than jail if she is found eligible, according to court documents.

Hebner was also a teacher at Sakai Intermediate School but is not accused of relations with any Sakai students. Hebner was placed on administrative leave by the district when it learned of the allegations. She later resigned.

Two men accused of having sex with teenagers reached similar deals recently and pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation. Former North Kitsap High School teacher Michael Carnegie was accused of having a sexual relationship with a student and pleaded guilty. Also last week, a retired doctor and East Bremerton Rotary club member, Larry Iversen, pleaded guilty to having sex with an exchange student. Both men received 30-day sentences.

Hebner is the second Bainbridge Island School District employee to be charged with sexual misconduct with a student since 2015. Jessica Fuchs pleaded guilty to having sex with a student and then encouraging him to lie to investigators to protect her.