Former Teacher Sentenced on Charges of Soliciting Photos from Minors

A former State College Area High School teacher was sentenced by Centre County Judge Jonathan Grine to 2-4 years in state prison for charges related to soliciting nude photographs from minors.

Wesley P. Amy, 28, was convicted in October on counts of attempted child sexual abuse, unlawful contact with a minor, dissemination of obscene and other sexual materials to a minor and three counts of corruption of minors.

Amy worked at the school as a computer technology teacher from October 2013 through May 2014, during which time he targeted three female students first by becoming friends with them on Facebook and having private conversations. Prosecutors said he sent pornography to one student and began soliciting the victims for nude photographs in exchange for better grades. 

One of the victims, who prosecutors say was given a flash drive by Amy and told to put nude photos on it in return for a 100 percent on a final project, told a friend about her experience with Amy. The friend told his mother, who then notified the school district, which reported it to State College Police. At the time of Amy’s arrest, State College Police Chief Tom King credited the district for acting quickly when it learned of the report.

Amy’s prison sentence will be followed by four years of probation. He will also have to register for life under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.