Former Fermi Teacher Gets Probation, Sex-Offender Status

By Julian McKinley

In a deal struck with prosecution, former Fermi High teacher Tyler Wells pleaded no contest to two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault in Enfield Superior Court Thursday morning -- charges stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Judge Howard Scheinblum sentenced Wells to two years probation -- one year for each charge -- and 10 years on the sex-offender registry. 

Two of the four charges of sexual assault were dropped. 

"I think it is very sad such a bright man as yourself got yourself into this," Scheinblum told Wells at the sentencing. 

"You had the best of education at Yale University; had a bright future... What a terrible shame."

Along with probation and sex-offender status, Wells, Scheinblum decided, must comply with a number of other requirements of the court, including: psychiatric and mental health treatment; having no contact with the victim or the victim's family; surrendering his teacher's license; owning or possessing no weapons; possessing no sexually-stimulating material or frequenting an establishment that does; and submitting to random searches of his person, home, computer, car or other personal property.

When given the opportunity to speak following his sentencing, Wells declined to address the court.

Wells was arrested in July of 2012 and originally charged with four counts of sexual assault after a teacher notified authorities. 

According to the prosecution, Wells was accused of having made out with and groped a female student in his classroom. 

The girl, the prosecution said, was 17 at the time.

Wells is a former Avon Old Farms student and employee.