An ex-middle school teacher in Southeast Texas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a student.

A judge in Beaumont sentenced 51-year-old Timothy Russell Verdon, who formerly taught at Hamshire-Fannett Middle School in Beaumont.

Investigators say the girl was 15 when she met Verdon in 2008.

Verdon in March pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child and to an improper relationship between an educator and student.

He was sentenced Monday to 15 years on each count, with the prison terms to be served concurrently.