Jason P. Hollinger
Leonardtown, MD –A former Margaret Brent Middle School teacher has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail for violating probation in a case involving what was described as one of his student’s “dangerous obsession” with him. Jason Hollinger, 40, was sentenced Monday in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Stamm.
Hollinger, who was living in Lusby at the time, was originally sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty on March 11, 2011 to two misdemeanor counts – second degree assault and fourth degree sex offense. He had been fired by the school system after his arrest.
The alleged victim was a 13-year-old student of his. According to a statement of facts from St. Mary’s County Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Stanalonis at the sentencing hearing, Hollinger, who was 35 at the time, had a continuing relationship with the girl that included visits to her home. Stanalonis said in February of 2010 Hollinger agreed to drive the girl home from soccer practice and during that ride fondled her “over her clothing.”
The plea agreement included Hollinger being a registered sex offender. Hollinger, who was living in St. Inigoes after being released from jail, was picked up in November for failing to register as a sex offender. Subsequently he was charged with violating his probation for allegedly again having contact with the girl, in violation of one of the conditions of the probation.
The girl’s father testified that his daughter, who is now 19 years old, had been living with Hollinger. The father told Judge Stamm, “He continues to victimize my daughter.” He asked that Hollinger be sent away to jail. “If he goes away maybe she can get back on track,” he said.
Hollinger’s attorney John McKenna said that the woman initiated the contact. “She sought out my client,” he said. The woman was in the courtroom during sentencing but did not testify. She did not sit with her parents and allegedly asked the court not to send Hollinger back to jail.
McKenna said that perhaps a mistake was made by not petitioning the court to have the no-contact condition of the probation removed, since she is now an adult.
McKenna asked that the judge not sentence his client to the Department of Corrections, noting that registered sex offenders are not well received by the inmate population there.
But Judge Stamm noted the age disparity between Hollinger and the woman, whom he then said had a “dangerous obsession” for her former teacher. He said he felt imposing the suspended two-and-a-half years was an “appropriate” sentence for the violation of probation.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com