Former Fort Cherry teacher sentenced
A former Fort Cherry High School teacher was sentenced to 6 to 23 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to charges he gave alcohol to a teenage student.
Washington County Judge Michael J. Lucas imposed the sentence, which also includes 12 months of probation, Friday on former Spanish teacher David E. Cook, 44, of McDonald.
Cook pleaded guilty in September to furnishing a minor with liquor and corruption of minors. Court records show sexual assault charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
McDonald police began their investigation of Cook in February 2016 after district officials told police about allegations Cook had inappropriate contact with an intoxicated student during a party, and had provided the student with alcohol.
The 17-year-old later gave investigators an account of that alleged incident and also told them Cook had given him alcohol on eight occasions.
Cook’s attorney, Tina Miller, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment late Friday afternoon.
Lucas ordered Cook, who court records show is free on $50,000 bond, to report to Washington County jail Dec. 18.