February 28th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

A former Mountain Ridge High School teacher entered an Alford Plea in a 4^th Degree Sex Offense case involving vaginal intercourse by a person in position of authority in Allegany County Circuit Court this morning.

52 year old Gary Herndon Athey II issued the plea, in which the defendant does not admit guilt, but agrees that the evidence the state would present would result in a conviction.

Circuit Judge Tim Finan found Athey guilty and has scheduled a sentencing hearing on April 10^th.

A second charge of 4^th Degree Sex Offense by a person in a position of authority was not prosecuted by the state.

Athey was arrested in November based on evidence gathered about an inappropriate relationship with an underage student in July.