Tad Cummins
A Middle Tennessee teacher who took a 15-year-old female student across the country has been sentenced to serve 20 years in federal prison.
Tad Cummins apologized to the victim during his sentencing in Nashville on Wednesday.
After his release, he will be under lifetime supervision.
He earlier pleaded guilty to charges of transportation of a minor across state lines for the purposes of having criminal sexual intercourse and destruction, and alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations.
Authorities said he engaged in sexual activity with the girl during the trip last year that prompted a nationwide manhunt.
The teacher and student were finally located in a rural section of northern California.
A statement from the victim was read in court.
Among those writing letters of support for Cummins was his daughter. She referred to "this stupid thing" and said one small lie led to many big ones.