MOUNT DORA, Florida. – A former Apopka High School teacher who sexually abused an exchange student at his Mount Dora home was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, police said.

Dmitri V. Kostyunin, 51, was sentenced in Lake County District Court to life imprisonment for sexual abuse of a child between the ages of 12 and 18 by a person with family or custodial authority. He was also given 11 months’ imprisonment for inducing a minor to commit crimes and was sentenced to 15 years for delivery of cannabis from a person over the age of 18 to a person under the age of 18.

Kostjunin was arrested in October and later convicted of the above charges.

In October, Lake County investigators were contacted by FBI agents who said in a press release that authorities in Italy had reported an “incident” that occurred at Kostjunin’s home in Mount Dora.

An Italian exchange student who had been living with Kostjunin had claimed that he had been sexually abused by Kostjunin, after which his family turned to the police, prosecutors said.

In an affidavit, police said Kostjunin drugged the boy with marijuana-laced chocolate and gave him wine while he watched a movie about Elton John and “how he became gay.”

Kostjunin repeatedly offered the student a massage, which he refused, and eventually performed sexual acts on him, the affidavit states.

Investigators said they later contacted Kostjunin, who admitted giving the boy the alcohol and drug-laced chocolates.

“Kostjunin stated that he fainted but woke up the next day and knew he had made a mistake,” the SAO said in a press release.

Kostjunin was arrested on October 3 and found guilty more than five months later.

“Kostyunin’s actions not only betrayed the trust placed in him, but also jeopardized the well-being of a child in our community,” said Fifth Judicial District Attorney Bill Gladson. “Instead of being able to learn abroad, make lasting friendships, and experience some of the amazing things our country has to offer, those experiences and memories will be forever tarnished because of Kostyunin.”

After Kostyunin’s first arrest, Apopka High School Principal Lyle Heinz sent the following message to the families:

“Apopka High School families: Principal Heinz here with an update to my message from last night. The employee I informed you about was arrested in Lake County due to an isolated incident that did not occur on our campus or in Orange County. This individual is on administrative leave and will not return to campus until the internal and police investigations are complete. Thank you for your continued support.”