WHEELING — Former Wheeling Park High School teacher Micah Farmer could face up to 10 years in prison and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life after pleading guilty in Ohio District Circuit Court to two counts of third-degree felony sex crime. attack. These accusations stemmed from Farmer having a sexual relationship with a former student.

The 37-year-old farmer from Wheeling was arrested in January on a charge of sexual exploitation of a child 16 years of age or older by a parent, guardian or custodian. According to a criminal complaint, West Virginia State Police received a complaint from Ohio County Deputy Superintendent Rick Jones that Farmer was spending time with the victim, an underage student, after school hours.

According to the complaint, Jones said Farmer was told on Dec. 15 to avoid any contact or private interaction with the victim. On January 10, WPHS Principal Meredith Dailer obtained permission from the victim’s mother to seize the victim’s cell phone. Dailer and the victim reviewed text messages that the victim and Çiftçi sent to each other, which contained sexually explicit messages.

On January 11, state troopers executed a search warrant at Farmer’s home. Allegedly Farmer “He expressed a strong desire.” To talk to the soldier at his home. There he admitted that he and the victim had sexual intercourse in his home and truck.

On Jan. 12, state troopers interviewed the underage victim, who confirmed that she and Farmer had sexual intercourse at Farmer’s home.

Farmer later resigned from WPHS.

Farmer pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree sexual assault in information filed by Deputy Attorney General Shawn R. Turak. Each case of third-degree sexual assault carries the possibility of incarceration in the Department of Corrections for not less than one year but not more than five years and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Turak noted that the State of West Virginia will recommend to the court that Çiftçi be given a maximum prison sentence of not less than two years and not more than 10 years and a fine of $5,000.

Turak said the farmer would be free to ask for a lighter sentence and the court would retain authority to impose a final sentence.

The sentencing date has not yet been determined.

In addition to the possibility of prison time, Farmer will be required to register as a sex offender for life. He will also be subject to the supervision of the probation office for a period of up to 50 years following the completion of his sentence.