Retired Pa. teacher waives hearing on sex charges

SAXONBURG, Pa. (AP) — A retired teacher in western Pennsylvania has waived his preliminary hearing on charges that he traded drugs and other items for sex with teenage girls.

Investigators say 66-year-old Joseph Peresie plied two girls with drugs and alcohol and gave them clothes and cell phones in exchange for sex at his home in Saxonburg.

His preliminary hearing on charges including sexual abuse of children, endangering the welfare of children and other charges was waived today and a trial date will be set.

Peresie has denied the charges, and says he never did anything inappropriate with the girls. The 66-year-old Peresie had taught typing for more than 30 years in the Freeport Area School District.