Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comment from Amy’s lawyer.
A former State College Area High School teacher faces felony charges for allegedly soliciting underage students for nude photos.
Wesley Amy, 27, of Bellefonte, was arrested after police received reports that Amy had been having sexually inappropriate conversations with three female students.
State College Police Chief Tom King says the State College Area School District was notified of the alleged crimes by a member of the victim’s family. The school district in turn notified one of their in-house police officers and contacted the police department.
According to the criminal complaint, Amy’s alleged crimes began in November 2013, when Amy was teaching a computer course at the high school. Police say he began communicating with two underage students outside of school over Facebook. Those conversations reportedly included sexually suggestive comments.
Amy allegedly told one of the two girls that she would receive a higher grade in his class if she sent him nude photos of herself. Police say he also discussed pornography and sent sexually explicit photos and drawings to the student.
Amy also reportedly convinced a third female student to join his computer class, despite her concerns that it was too late in the school year and she lacked the prerequisite course. Amy reportedly promised the girl he would “not fail her.”
After joining the class, Amy allegedly told the student that giving him nude photos would allow her to pass the course. Police say he gave the student a thumb drive to store the photos. In exchange for the photos Amy reportedly told the girl she would not need to complete a final exam.
Amy has been charged with misdemeanor corruption of minors and felony distribution of sexual materials to minors.
State College Area Superintendent Bob O’Donnell says all new district employees are required to go through rigorous background checks, though that can’t always prevent criminal behavior.
“Safety is a priority for us every day. That’s the reason we have three police officers just in our secondary education building,” O’Donnell says. “Our students’ safety is our highest priority.”
King says the incident and quick response highlights the strong relationship between the school district and police department.
King also acknowledges the importance of creating an environment where children feel comfortable reporting inappropriate behavior to family members or other trusted adults. Without the involvement of the alleged victim’s family, King says Amy’s alleged crimes may have continued without notice.
“Whenever someone in a position of trust violates that trust, it’s a horrible situation,” King says. “Unfortunately, you can’t control people’s actions, no matter how many background checks you do.”
Amy resigned in May after half a year with the school district, according to the State College school board’s meeting minutes from June 23. O’Donnell says he also brought the allegations to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which has since revoked Amy’s teaching license.
Amy has been arraigned and was released on $25,000 bail. He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, November 26, according to the office of Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia.
Attorney Matt McClenahen confirms he represents Amy, but says it’s too early to make any comment on the case. McClenahen says he plans to waive Wednesday’s preliminary hearing, and that he expects to have access to more evidence by early January.
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