Nathan Dell Cunningham (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG — A former Wood County physical education teacher has pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting a minor girl during the 2017-2018 school year.

Nathan Dell Cunningham, 35, of Parkersburg, had a plea hearing Tuesday before Wood County Circuit Court Judge Robert Waters, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree sexual assault. third and an Alford plea to felony obscene display. matters to a minor.

According to the original criminal complaint, in April 2023, Parkersburg police spoke with a young woman in reference to multiple incidents in which she said during her freshman year of high school (2017-2018) she and Cunningham were involved in a series of sexual incidents. sexual intercourse and sexual intrusion, according to the report written by Det. DW Miller of the Parkersburg Police Department.

During this time she would have been 14 years old, and he would have been around 28 years old, according to the complaint.

She advised that she would sneak out of her residence after school and meet defendant at City Park. She said she would get into his vehicle at the park and that’s where the sexual incidents would take place. This happened on separate occasions, but always in the same location. On several occasions they met and engaged in sexual behavior.

“The victim said she and the defendant talked about having children and getting married in the future,” Miller wrote in the criminal complaint. “The victim advised that the defendant told his parents about the relationship and assured her that his parents would like it and asked his mother to give the victim a gift while she was at work.”

The victim said the relationship lasted until he ended it after the 2018-19 track and field season, the report said.

Cunningham was employed as a gym teacher at Emerson Elementary. He was suspended from his employment with Wood County Schools in April 2023 following his arrest.

If he pleads guilty to the charges, Cunningham could face up to 20 years in prison and a $55,000 fine.

The State agrees that the other charges will be dismissed. Cunningham was originally indicted on one count of first-degree sexual assault; one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust; one count of displaying obscene material to a minor; and seven counts of third-degree sexual assault.

He has agreed to cooperate and be truthful with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office, including debriefings about his knowledge of drug and other criminal activity, and will give signed statements, under oath and testify at the grand jury and trial, at the request of the state.

“Defendant agrees that he will voluntarily relinquish any teaching certification and will not seek employment or volunteer positions in any school system after entering his plea.” the plea agreement said.

There were no sentencing agreements and sentencing will be at the discretion of the court, the agreement states.

Cunningham, through his attorney George Cosenza, made a request for probation that the court will review.

A sentencing hearing is set for 3:45 p.m. Jan. 16 before Waters.