A Pell City School employee pleaded guilty on Tuesday to second-degree rape and the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

A jury was struck on Monday for the rape charge against, Anthony Eugene Tollison, 29, of Pell City. But as the trial was about to get underway, Tollison’s lawyer, Beverly Barber, informed the court that he wanted to plead guilty.

“My client has medically documented low mental functioning,” Barber said. “He felt like he could not physically and mentally undergo a trial. As his attorney I made it known that I am very opposed to the plea bargain and his guilty plea. When the plea was entered it was stated on the record that we entered this as a best interest plea.”

St. Clair County Assistant District Attorney Joey Stevens, who was to argue the case before the jury, said, “We’re obviously pleased to see this case resolved in the sense that this young lady will be able to go on with her life and put this episode behind her. We believe that the evidence at trial would have shown that in March of 2007 Tollison engaged in sexual intercourse with a girl younger than 16, but more than 12.”

Later Tuesday night, the Pell City Board of Education officially terminated Tollison from employment at a special session.

Tollison was employed as a special education teacher’s aid before the rape allegation was brought against him. He was not fired after the rape charge was brought against him last July; rather, he was given a job working at the school system’s maintenance shop away from children.

Tollison was indicted earlier this year by a grand jury for unlawfully selling marijuana within three miles of Iola Roberts Elementary School

In August 2007, Tollison sold marijuana to an undercover informant at the Hardees parking lot in Pell City.

Tollison admitted the allegation in an indictment through course of police investigations, Assistant D.A. Stevens said.

Stevens also said that Tollison admitted to law enforcement that he engaged in sex with the girl at the Second Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Pell City.

St. Clair Circuit Judge Charles Robinson sentenced Tollison to two five-year sentences for both the second-degree rape and to the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance brought him. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Judge Robinson reinstated Tollison’s bond and he is to remain free until his probation hearing on December 11. It was reported that Robinson told the jury that it was likely that Tollison would not serve time in prison.