Gregory trial moved to Oct. 28

SPRAGUE – The trial of a Sprague High School teacher accused of having sex with a student on campus has been postponed until October.

Madeline Marie Gregory Scoon, 29, of Cheney, will be tried on charges of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and communication with a minor for immoral purposes Oct. 28, court records show.

A readiness hearing is set for Oct. 6.

She was previously scheduled for trail Sept. 18, court records show.

The charges stem from a Lincoln County Sheriff's Office investigation into a months-long sexual relationship that included oral and other sexual contact with a student in the teacher's classroom, a classroom closet, the gymnasium closet and bushes adjacent to the tennis courts.

At the time, Gregory – identified in school records as Scoon – was a mathematics and science teacher, and Associated Student Body adviser at the high school, 614 W. Fifth St.

She was also the tennis coach there and an assistant tennis coach for the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos high school team last spring.

Scoon's trial delay comes as a first-grade teacher from nearby St. John was sentenced in a student-sex case there.

Nearby case

Mackenzie Naught, 25, was sentenced in Whitman County Superior Court to six months in jail for first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor last Friday, Aug. 28. The six-month sentence is the minimum available under the sentencing range.

Naught is also required to undergo a psychosexual evaluation and comply with recommended treatment, she will serve 12 months of probation following her release and is required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Before her sentencing, Naught apologized in court for her conduct.

"I exploited this person," Naught said of her 16-year-old victim. "And in doing so, I created a world of hurt and pain for him and his family. And for that, I want to express my deepest remorse."

Whitman County Superior Court Judge Roger Sandberg imposed the minimum six-month sentence.

In explaining his decision, Sandberg said state law governing sexual misconduct between teachers and students is intended in part to address the disparity of power created by the teacher-student relationship.

He noted Naught did not meet the boy through her role as an educator.

However, the boy was on the St. John-Endicott High School cross country team, coached by Naught's husband, Garrett Naught.

"The relationship has sort of an independent basis," Sandberg said. "Ms. Naught does not fit squarely within the conduct that is being intended to be penalized here."

Sandberg also considered Naught's lack of previous criminal history and the lasting personal and professional consequences of the case, including the likelihood she will be unable to return to teaching.

"It's going to be impossible for her to escape going forward," he said.