Teacher, molester to get evaluated before sentencing

A substitute teacher who pleaded guilty to child molestation will undergo a 90-day diagnostic evaluation by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation before a sentence is handed down in Tuolumne County Superior Court.

Peter Linhart, 67, of Soulsbyville, was scheduled to be sentenced Monday. However, Judge Eric DuTemple put Linhart into the custody of Tuolumne County Sheriff Jim Mele for transfer to the custody of the state Corrections Department.
 

In early June, Linhart pleaded guilty to felony lewd acts on a child under 14.

According to Deputy District Attorney Dee Shepherd, Linhart is related by marriage to the victim, who lives in another county.

In June 2008, while visiting, the girl ended up in bed with Linhart and his wife, Ivanka, Shepherd said.

Linhart allegedly told a doctor who interviewed him during the investigation he thought it was his 65-year-old wife he was fondling, Shepherd said.

She said the District Attorney’s Office will ask for a term of one year in jail, no contact with the victim or children under 14 unless under supervision, and sex offender counseling.

Linhart’s attorney, Vangie Eidsvik-Garza, of Coulterville, was hoping for probation only. She said Linhart “knows he has a problem” and had already sought counseling on his own.

“His remorse is dramatic,” Eidsvik-Garza said.

She contended Linhart is in the early stages of dementia and was previously a contributing member of society.

“I think this is a very sad situation for everyone,” Eidsvik-Garza said after court. “We should keep in mind, things can happen to people, mentally, as they age.”

DuTemple said he would not grant probation to someone who with “a face of innocence” was “trying to deflect responsibility.”

DuTemple asked Linhart if he inappropriately touched the girl.

Linhart admitted it, but said he thought he’d suffered a “mini-stroke” prior to the incident and said he did not remember molesting the girl.

“I’ve done some few incidents that I don’t remember,” Linhart said, giving examples of leaving the stove on or car doors open. “I’ve done several things that are off the wall. I put the fire on in July ... I’m truly sorry. I’m just devastated. I want help, I want to change. I’m not going to blame anyone, just myself. I’ve dealt with children my whole life and had no problems.”

Linhart will return to Superior Court for further sentencing following his 90-day evaluation.

Linhart’s substitute teaching credential is valid and is set to expire Nov. 1, according to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.