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Michael Z. Gates

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Former teacher pleads guilty to sex offense with student

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

A former Northwood High School teacher pled guilty Tuesday in Smyth County Circuit Court to 17 felony counts of a sexual offense against a girl who was a student of the school at the time the incidents occurred.
Michael Zane Gates, 33, recently of 36050 Loves Mill Road, Glade Spring, entered a guilty plea before Judge Isaac Freeman to 17 indictments by a grand jury of proposing “with lascivious intent” to a child in his custodial care to expose her genital or sexual parts to him.
Freeman said the offenses occurred between June 1, 2006 and Feb. 18, 2007. Gates was arrested April 18.
The victim, now 18, was a Smyth County resident who is no longer living in the county, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Herb Clay said. She will be present to give an impact statement at Gates’ sentencing hearing, he said. Freeman scheduled sentencing for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13.
Gates remains free on a $20,000 bond. Clay objected to bond because Gates is now a convicted felon and was set to begin today working for a friend in a Meadowview-based construction business. Construction necessitates travel, frequently out of the area and even out of state, said Clay, who asked that a monitor be attached to Gates so his whereabouts can be verified.
Freeman said he was also concerned about Gates presenting a flight risk and having “some kind of contact with the victim.” However, Freeman allowed Gates to remain on bond with the requirement that he stay in contact with his probation officer and remain within the 28th court circuit.
“I’m satisfied with what I’ve done,” Freeman said.
Freeman also ordered Gates to submit to a DNA test Friday at the Abingdon Regional Jail.
“Any abuse of bond and he will be brought back to court,” Freeman said. Earlier, he said, “One slip-up is all it will take.”
Some of the offenses happened in Washington County, Clay said, where Gates is charged with having consensual sex with a child. Court spokesperson Becky Nunley said trial is set for 9 a.m. Monday in Washington County Circuit Court. Court Clerk Patricia Phipps said Gates’ appealed the guilty decision of the county’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to the Circuit Court.