Early release for Delco ex-teacher is upheld

A Delaware County Judge on Tuesday rejected the argument from the District Attorney's office that a former teacher convicted of sexually abusing students should not be eligible for early release.

Paul Hochschwender, 55, of Broomall, pleaded no contest in January to sexual assault and related criminal charges for inappropriately touching at least a dozen elementary school students and was remanded to the Delaware County jail.

Hochschwender, who was initially charged in March 2014, taught second grade at the Darby Township School in the Southeast Delco district. He also worked in the Radnor Township School District from 1993 to 2000.

In August, he was sentenced to one to two years in county jail and 10 years of probation, ordered to forfeit his teaching credential, and register as a sex offender for life. He was released on Oct. 25 after receiving good-time credit, according to the county.

Prosecutor Michael Galantino filed a petition and argued Hochschwender should not have received good-time credit.

Judge Mary Alice Brennan ruled that Galantino spent 17 months negotiating the plea and either knew or should have known of the prison policy on good-time credit.

"The law is clear that each party is entitled to the benefits of the [plea] agreement," Brennan wrote in her decision.

- Mari A. Schaefer