VICTORVILLE — Waking up naked and alone on a middle school teacher's bed after a night of heavy marijuana smoking and drinking was as disturbing to the 14-year-old boy as it was disorienting. But for Justin, who is now 18, the moment became stranger when then 31-year-old Jamie Renee Putman returned to the bedroom and had sex with him, he told a courtroom Tuesday.
Justin described how Putman — who taught sixth grade at Harry R. Sheppard Middle School in Adelanto — used to invite him and four of his friends over to her home for alcohol and marijuana parties back in the early summer days of 2000.
"I felt real bad," Justin told Deputy District Attorney Karen Michaels when he was asked how he felt about being naked on Putman's bed.
Justin said he then showered, dressed and went home, and did not visit Putman again.
Putman has been charged with two counts of lewd acts with a child, one count of unlawful sexual intercourse, eight counts of furnishing marijuana to minors, 11 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of possessing marijuana on school grounds, according to court records.
If convicted, Putman could face a maximum of 18 years, four months in prison, Michaels said.
Putman is not in custody.
Justin is one member of two groups of former students who visited with Putman in 2000 and 2001. He is one of several former students — all still minors — testifying in court and using only first names.
Justin also described in court how Putman used to drive him to the places where he would buy marijuana, help plan the students' parties at her home, purchase the beer and hard liquor they all drank and once contributed money for a marijuana purchase.
Putman is no longer employed with the Adelanto School District, according to its attorney, Mike Marlatt. Putman also is a defendant in a civil suit filed by a former student against the school district, Marlatt said.
Putman's attorney, Ronald Skipper, could not be reached for comment.