A fired Pioneer Valley High School teacher was sentenced today to 16 years in state prison for molesting a 16-year-old boy who had been in his algebra class.

The sentence was close to the maximum of 18 years and eight months in prison Michael Cardoza could have received.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Edward Bullard denied a motion by Cardoza’s attorney, Michael Scott, for new trial prior to issuing the sentence.

After hearing arguments from both Scott and Deputy District Attorney Stephen Foley, Bullard said that he found the victim, now 18, to be particularly vulnerable because he attempted suicide shortly before the molestation, was young and was without a father figure.

Cardoza was a teacher and mentor to him, Bullard said.

He acknowledged that Cardoza had no prior criminal history.

The judge said that he did not find the testimony of Cardoza credible, but found the testimony of the victim and other witnesses believable.

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