A former Lake Mary High School teacher could spend life in prison after pleading guilty to sexual battery and other charges for his relationship with a 17-year-old student.

RICHARD C. COLON, 57, pled guilty Nov. 13 in Seminole County circuit court to:

• Three counts of sexual battery on a child by a person in custodial authority, a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison.
• Possession of material depicting sexual conduct by a child, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.  
• Computer solicitation of a child, a third-degree felony
• Transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device, a third-degree felony.

Prosecutor Anna Valentini was prepared to show detailed evidence that Colon’s relationship with the minor started in 2024 with sexually charged messages and photos sent over Snapchat. Within months, the relationship advanced to sex at Colon’s home in Sorrento, FL, and his classroom at Lake Mary High during a period when she didn’t have class and he had no students.

Forensic searches of the teacher and student’s mobile phones by Seminole County Sheriff’s Office investigators revealed photos, videos and text messages depicting their sexual activity, including in the classroom.

Circuit Judge Michael Rudisill will determine Colon’s sentence at a hearing Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.