Former STEM School Teacher Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of a Child 45-year-old Tera Johnson-Swartz, a former teacher at STEM School Highlands Ranch, was sentenced to 14 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Johnson-Swartz pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of cybercrime. Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested Johnson-Swartz in February 2025, on charges of kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection with an inappropriate relationship involving a student. “We are grateful for the tireless work of our Special Victims Unit and the dedication of the District Attorney’s Office in taking this case so seriously. Their commitment ensures that those who prey on our most vulnerable…our children…are held fully accountable. Protecting our youth will always remain one of our highest priorities.” said Sheriff Darren Weekly. “Douglas County has some of the finest teachers in Colorado. I know, because—like many parents in our community—I have entrusted my four kids to be taught by them. This warning is coming from the DA and a parent: if a teacher in our community exploits their position of trust with our kids for their own lascivious desires, we will seek to change their life forever. We will work to make them a convicted felon and we will try to take away their freedom. Here, this predator stated at her sentencing hearing that this conduct will not define who she is. I disagree. She is now a convicted sex offender and will live with that label for decades. For those keeping track, this marks the fourth teacher convicted of a felony sex offense by our office since our office came into existence last year. So far, all have been incarcerated,” said District Attorney @GeorgeBrauchler. @23rdDA
