Wyoming News Briefs

Former teacher gets prison for sex abuse

CHEYENNE (WNE) — A former Cheyenne junior high school math teacher was sentenced Friday to at least 20 years in prison for sexually abusing his former student, whom he later adopted.

Joseph Meza’s friends, family and former students crowded the Laramie County courtroom, several of whom read statements urging the judge to understand his positive impact on their lives.

On the prosecution’s side, the victim sat with her family and friends waiting to hear the sentence.

Through a victim’s services coordinator, the young woman explained her relatio...