WHEELING — The case involving a former Wheeling Park High School teacher charged with sexual abuse of a student is on its way to a grand jury.

Micah Farmer, 37, of Wheeling, was arrested in January on one felony charge of sexual abuse of a minor 16 years or older by a parent, guardian, or custodian.

Farmer appeared before Ohio County Magistrate Janine Varner on Tuesday. State Trooper James Dean testified during the proceeding, and probable cause was found to send the case to a grand jury, according to Ohio County Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Turak.

Farmer previously was arraigned in Magistrate Court and released after posting $5,000 bond.

The next grand jury does not convene until May, and Farmer remains out of jail on bond.

According to a criminal complaint, the West Virginia State Police had received a complaint from Ohio County Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones that Farmer was spending time after school hours with an underage student.

The complaint stated that Farmer was told by Jones on Dec. 15, 2023 to avoid any contact or private interaction with the student.

On Jan. 10, WPHS Principal Meredith Dailer received permission from the student’s mother to confiscate the alleged victim’s cellphone. Dailer and the student reviewed the text messages the student and Farmer allegedly sent to each other, which included sexually explicit messages, according to the complaint.

On Jan. 11, state troopers executed a search warrant at Farmer’s home. Farmer allegedly “expressed a strong desire” to talk to the trooper at his home, according to the complaint.