Former Claremore Sequoyah Band Teacher Pleads Guilty To Rape Charges

A former Claremore Sequoyah band and choir teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday.

Mark Buchanan pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree rape, two counts of sodomy and one count of indecent exposure.

Investigators say Buchanan confessed to his wife that he had slept with the student after she told him she thought she was pregnant. His wife went straight to the police and Buchanan was arrested in July 2012.

Police said Buchanan had sex with the student in a closet attached to the choir room on four separate occasions.

Buchanan was given 15 years for the second degree rape charges and 10 years for the other three charges. According to court records, second degree rape is not an 85 percent crime, but sodomy and indecent exposure are, so Buchanan will serve a minimum of 21 years in prison before he's eligible for parole. When released, Buchanan will be required to register as a Level 3 sex offender.

7/24/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Music Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With Student Charged