A former Cheyenne Mountain High School teacher convicted of sexually abusing a minor will serve 20 years to life in prison, an El Paso County judge ruled Wednesday.

Marco Lara, 50, was arrested in December 2023 after Colorado Springs police launched an investigation into a report of sexual assault. His charges included sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and aggravated incest, but prosecutors dropped the incest charge in June, court records show.

In July, a jury convicted Lara of three counts of sexual assault on a child following a four-day trial. For sentencing, the court merged two of the counts, resulting in a sentencing range of eight to 24 years to life, the same range as the remaining charge.

Lara could have faced up to 48 years behind bars if Judge Chad Miller opted to run the sentences one after the other, which the prosecution requested.

The defense requested a concurrent sentence of eight years in prison for both charges, arguing the sentence will “forever alter his existence.”

Miller decided that Lara will spend 20 years to life behind bars with the sentences to run concurrently, or at the same time, saying he could not find an eight-year sentence appropriate in this case.

According to Gazette news partner KOAA, Lara’s arrest affidavit states he engaged in a sexual relationship with his accuser when she was just 14 years old, and that it continued for 13 years.

The victim in the case gave a calm and collected impact statement, asking Miller to hand down the maximum sentence and calling Lara’s actions “cruel.” Another victim of Lara’s also took to the stand to address Miller, reading from a long typed letter.

“I hate you. … You tricked me,” she said. “I hope jail is long and miserable for you. … I hope you feel how hated you are.”

The Gazette is not publishing the names of those who spoke in court due to the nature of the crimes and their ages at the time of the offenses.

A few of Lara’s family members addressed the judge, including his father and two of his brothers. They described Lara as a “good Christian” and a caring person.

“He always put everyone else before himself,” his brother Emilio Lara said.

Lara did not address the court at the advice of his defense counsel, who are likely to appeal the conviction.

Before handing down the sentence, Miller addressed both the defendant and the victim in the case. He applauded the victim’s bravery in coming forward, but acknowledged that it was “evident” Lara had good qualities despite the conviction.

“Mr. Lara, this does not define who you are,” Miller said.

He told the victim: “Do not let this make you a victim forever. Don’t let this define you either.”

In addition to the sentence, Lara must register as a sex offender for life. And due to his immigration status, he will likely be sent back to Peru, where he was born, at the end of his sentence, despite maintaining legal status throughout his time in the U.S.

At the time of his arrest, Lara taught math at Cheyenne Mountain High School, but was put on administrative leave after the allegations came to light.

After sentencing, Lara was placed in handcuffs. He bonded out of the El Paso County jail shortly after his arrest, but was placed back in custody after being convicted in July.