Former Teacher's 10-Page Letter to Judge Highlights Guilt and Regret

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A former Ravenna special-education teacher faces up to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor who shared sexually explicit photos of herself and of the two having sex.

Paul Daniel Masko, 55, of Grand Haven, will be sentenced Wednesday, March 25, by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids. He faces at least 15 years in prison, according to court records.

A Teacher Who Became a Predator

Masko was a high-school teacher for 15 years and loved teaching. He also coached his children's sports teams and was varsity baseball coach at Fruitport for several years.

According to court records, he had a normal teacher-student relationship with the victim in fall 2023 during freshman year. The relationship escalated the following May, when she first showed Mr. Masko a sexually explicit photo of herself.

Defense attorneys said the relationship continued through September and October of 2024, when Masko obtained sexually explicit images of the victim on three different days.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Sanford wrote in a sentencing memorandum that "the record is replete with evidence that Masko and the victim had a sexual relationship that lasted months."

She continued, "He repeatedly sexually exploited her and enticed her to engage in a sexual relationship with him."

A Hand-Written Letter of Regret

In a 10-page, hand-written letter to the judge, Masko pleaded for leniency while expressing deep shame over his actions.

"There is no excuse for my misconduct," he wrote. "(The victim's) attention, willingness, flirtiness, or consent are NOT acceptable reasons for my responses and actions. I was the established grownup and I failed this test I had previously passed so often in my life."

He added, "Your Honor, I need a redemption story... Please allow me quality time to show I can be a productive citizen once again."

Masko also awaits sentencing in late April in Muskegon County Circuit Court after he pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He also awaits trial in Ottawa County Circuit Court on four charges of third-degree criminal-sexual conduct involving a student.

Family Devastated

Court records said Masko, a life-long Grand Haven resident, was described by a family member as "a devoted and dependable family man who brings warmth and joy to everyone around him."

His marriage ended because of the criminal case. He lost his 23-year-old son in February in a snowboarding accident.

"Mr. Masko is devastated by this news, which he learned while incarcerated," his attorneys said. "He was unable to hug his daughter and assure her everything was going to be okay. He was unable to attend the funeral or celebration of life – events that often help people find closure."

Community Member Turned Defendant

Federal public defender Sean Tilton and assistant public defender Marcus Miller wrote in a sentencing memorandum that Masko had no previous criminal record and was considered a "valuable and contributing member of his community" prior to the criminal charges.

They described him as "a devoted and dependable family man who brings warmth and joy to everyone around him."

Masko told the judge that he was "deeply ashamed and regretful."

"My misconduct was absolutely wrong and has led me to stand before you," he wrote. "While the arrest has been humiliating and my inevitable imprisonment frightening, you honor, it pales in comparison to the prison I'll be living for the rest of my life facing what I've done and how this will forever affect my loved ones."

Previous Coverage

This story was also reported by Donny Ede for News Channel 3.