In a decision that undoubtedly marks a grim closure to a harrowing case, Dmitri V. Kostyunin, a former Apopka High School teacher, has been given a life sentence for charges related to the sexual battery of a foreign exchange student. Kostyunin, aged 51, was sentenced Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court, as reported by ClickOrlando.
Kostyunin's condemnation includes a life term for sexual battery on a child between 12 and 18 years by someone in a position of custodial authority, he also received sentences of 11 months for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and an additional 15 years for the delivery of cannabis to a person under 18. Kostyunin was apprehended in October after officials from Italy reported an "incident" that had occurred at his home in Mount Dora to FBI agents, as detailed by WFTV.
The Italian student, while under Kostyunin's care, was subjected to sexual abuse after being administered marijuana-laced chocolates and wine, this unfolded amidst a screening of a film about Elton John, reportedly dealing with the music icon's sexual orientation journey, State Attorney Bill Gladson said in a statement reported by ClickOrlando, painted a vivid picture of a formative experience for an international student turned into a lifelong scar, "Instead of being able to learn abroad, make lasting friendships, and take in some of the amazing things our country has to offer, those experiences and memories will forever be tarnished because of Kostyunin."
The details of the case, as provided by the released affidavit, disclosed that despite the student's repeated rejections of his offers, Kostyunin persisted and eventually carried out sex acts on the minor, Kostyunin himself later admitted to his crimes upon confrontation by detectives, including the provision of the drugged chocolates and alcohol, after which he claimed to have "blacked out" but awoke with the knowledge that he had erred, as described in news releases from the State Attorney's Office.
Apopka High School acted swiftly, with Principal Lyle Heinz sending out a message to families to assure that the incident was isolated, did not occur on campus grounds nor in Orange County, and affirming Kostyunin's removal pending investigations, "The employee that I notified you about has been arrested in Lake County as a result of an isolated situation that did not occur on our campus or in Orange County," he said, as per ClickOrlando.
