Canon-Mac teacher accused of sexual relationship with student heading to trial
A Canon-McMillan High School teacher accused of being in a sexual relationship with a student will stand trial following his preliminary hearing Tuesday morning.
No testimony was heard during Justin Harry White’s hearing before District Judge James Saieva Jr., although he agreed to have all charges held for court without evidence presented during his court appearance.
White, 48, of North Strabane, is accused of engaging in a lengthy relationship with a female student, sending more than 8,000 text messages between each other from February until June. Police said the two also exchanged more than 14,000 emails, mostly on their personal accounts, although about 60 allegedly came from White’s school email address.
According to court documents, the relationship turned sexual after the student turned 18 in January, with 10 to 20 encounters occurring at various points.
North Strabane police said White and the student regularly met outside school hours, and some encounters happened in the parking lot of a business in the 1700 block of Washington Road in the township while it was closed. Police said White also kissed the student during school hours and the two engaged in sexual activity at times in his classroom, with nearby surveillance video in the school allegedly corroborating those meetings.
Police charged White July 15 with 12 felony counts of intercourse or sexual contact with a student in school and one charge of criminal use of a communications facility. He has been free on $150,000 cash bond following his arraignment by Saieva.
His defense attorney, Adam Bishop, declined to comment on the case or Tuesday’s preliminary hearing.
White’s formal arraignment on the charges is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. in the Washington County Courthouse. He has been on administrative leave from the school after district officials said they became aware of an investigation by Children and Youth Services.