Former Palm Beach County teacher Damian Conti was sentenced Monday to 35 years in prison for repeated sexual activity with a student, the State Attorney’s Office announced.

On June 30, a jury found Conti, 37, guilty of four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor by a school authority figure. Evidence showed the abuse occurred between December 2023 and February 2024.

Circuit Judge Howard Coates, who presided over the trial, imposed the prison sentence, to be followed by 10 years of probation. He also designated Conti a sexual predator.

The victim — then a 16-year-old student at the high school where Conti taught — bravely testified at the trial. At Monday’s sentencing hearing, she described the trauma she continues to suffer as a result of the abuse.

Assistant State Attorneys Alexa Ruggiero and Nicole Corring of our Special Victims Unit prosecuted the case.

In a statement, the State Attorney’s Office said:

“This defendant violated every role and responsibility entrusted to teachers. He not only sexually abused and caused serious harm to the victim, but also violated the trust of all students and the community. The sentence holds the defendant accountable and shows that justice was served.”