NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A federal judge has denied former Maury County teacher Tad Cummins’ request for home confinement amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judge Aleta Trauger ruled on the matter Monday, denying Cummins' request for compassionate release.
Cummins sought home confinement back in July, saying he’s at an increased risk of suffering complications due to obesity and high blood pressure. He wrote a letter to Judge Trauger saying, "I fall under the category of individuals considered high risk of death from the COVID-19 virus."
However, Judge Trauger called Cummins reasoning for immediate release “weak,” saying high blood pressure is not one of the factors that puts someone at an "increased risk" and that medication is well-controlling it.
“Moreover, given the egregious conduct of the defendant and its impact upon the victim and her family, his release from custody after serving such a small portion of his significant sentence would subvert the sentencing factors that this court must consider. His release would result in an insignificant sentence that would not reflect the seriousness of his offense, promote respect for the law, be a just punishment, or protect the public from further crimes of this defendant," Trauger wrote.
Trauger said it would also create “unwarranted sentencing disparities” among defendants with similar records.
In September, the teen victim responded to his request saying she does not want him released and that, "just knowing he will be near me terrifies me."
Cummins is serving a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual conduct and obstruction of justice. He was a teacher at a Maury County school when he left the state with one of his young students with the intention of having sex with her.
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