Des Moines Register

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2010

Former Iowa Elementary Teacher Convicted for Nude Photos of Teens
     A former C and M of Massena teacher faces up to 65 years behind bars for persuading his children's babysitter and another underage girl to take off their clothes and fondle each other while he photographed them.
     Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before they convicted Brent Romer, 35, last week on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee.
     The two girls, ages 14 and 15, were not students of Romer's. Court records show they lived in Corning, Romer's hometown.
     The girls were photographed during a party at Romer's home in July 2008, about a month after he had quit his job as an elementary teacher at C and M, a district of about 160 students in Cass County. His teaching license was later revoked, state records show.
     One of the girls, a babysitter for Romer's children, told sheriff's officials that “it was no big deal” and Romer “just likes younger porn,” court records show.
     A third teenage girl told authorities Romer quit his job because of their sexual relationship, which allegedly began when she was 16. A third-degree sexual abuse charge against Romer, however, was dropped.
     Romer's sentencing is set for Feb. 21, court records show.  He was charged, along with James
Wiechman, 50, who was pictured holding and touching the nude girls at the party, court records show.
     Wiechman, of Corning, pleaded guilty last month to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, which carries a penalty of 10 years in prison and fines. Sentencing is set for Jan. 24.