A suspended East Clinton Middle School teacher pleaded guilty Monday to sexual battery against a student.

After Robin Pickering pleaded guilty, Clinton County Common Pleas Judge John W. Rudduck pronounced her guilty.

The second-degree felony conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence. Pickering faces a minimum prison term of two years and a maximum of eight years.

The charge against Pickering was a felony of the second degree because her victim reportedly was as young as 11 during the time period of the sex offense, which covered Dec. 25, 2006, through April 8, 2007.

Sentencing of Pickering was deferred to July 20 to allow time for a pre-sentence investigation, which will provide information about Pickering’s background for the judge to consider when determining the duration of her imprisonment.

The 44-year-old Pickering was soft-spoken during the hearing Monday, and toward its conclusion wiped her eye with tissue.

In a plea document she signed Monday, Pickering admitted engaging in sexual conduct with the female victim.

In particular, she admitted digitally penetrating the victim’s vagina and engaging in oral sex.

Assistant Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew McCoy said he can’t comment about the specific facts of the case until after sentencing.

“From the state’s (prosecution’s) perspective, the evidence was overwhelming. This is one of those cases that I believe shocked the conscience of our community,” McCoy said.

The assistant prosecutor thanked Clinton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Chris Lester for a diligent investigation and the victim and her family “for the courage they’ve shown throughout the course of this proceeding.”

Thomas W. Kidd Jr., an attorney from Lebanon who represents Pickering, declined to comment after the hearing.

Pickering has taught in the East Clinton school district for 12 years, plus 10 years elsewhere. She was placed on unpaid suspension from teaching after she was indicted and arrested in December 2008.