Former teacher sentenced for sexual abuse of two students

An East Glacier woman who taught elementary school on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison and five years of supervised release for sexually abusing two students.

According to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, Sierra Shawnee Taylor, also known as Sierra Schildt, 36, pleaded guilty in July to sexual abuse of a minor.

The prosecution said in court records that Taylor was employed as a teacher at the East Glacier Elementary School during the 2014-2015 school year. She taught a mixed-grade class that included some eighth-grade students.

Taylor entered a sexual relationship with one of the boys, who was an eighth-grade student, and twice had intercourse with the victim. Investigators identified a second victim, also an eighth-grade student, with whom Taylor committed a sexual act in 2012.

“Our children need to be protected from abusers like Ms. Taylor, particularly those who hold a position of trust,” U.S. Attorney Alme said in a prepared statement. “I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley, the FBI, the Blackfeet Multidisciplinary Team and the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services for their good work in bringing this case to justice.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, the Blackfeet Multidisciplinary Team and the Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.