photo by: Alan Olson

Hundreds of new students and their families filter into Wheeling Park High School for the Freshmen & New Student Tailgate event this past August.

WHEELING – Former Wheeling Park High School teacher Micah Farmer could face up to 10 years in prison – and will register as a sex offender for the rest of his life – after pleading guilty in Ohio County Circuit Court to two counts of third-degree felony sexual assault. Those charges arose from Farmer engaging in sexual relations with a former student.

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

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

On Jan. 11, state troopers executed a search warrant at Farmer’s home. According to the complaint, Farmer “expressed a strong desire” to talk to the trooper at his home. There, he admitted that he and the victim had sexual intercourse at his home and in his truck.

On Jan. 12, state troopers interviewed the victim, a minor, who corroborated that she and Farmer had sexual intercourse at Farmer’s house.

Farmer subsequently resigned from WPHS.

Farmer entered guilty pleas to two counts of third degree sexual assault contained in information filed by Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Shawn R. Turak. Each count of third degree sexual assault carries the possibility of incarceration at the Department of Corrections for not less than one nor 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 at sentencing that Farmer be ordered the maximum prison sentence of not less than two nor more than 10 years, and fined $5,000 dollars.

Farmer will be free to argue for a lesser sentence, and the court will retain final sentencing authority, Turak said.

The date for sentencing has not been determined.

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